asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider extending the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977, to include the employees of each VEC in order to ensure that workers are represented on each VEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - VEC Employees Representation.
882.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I am in the process of extending the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977, to allow elections for worker directors in a further six State bodies (viz. Aer Rianta, Bord Gáis Éireann, an Foras Forbartha, Irish Steel, the National Rehabilitation Board and the Voluntary Health Insurance Board). It is also my intention to introduce provisions to enable State enterprises generally to set up sub-board participative structures.
As regards employee representation on vocational education committees, I have had extensive correspondence and several meetings with a number of VEC unions on this matter. Vocational education committees come under the aegis of the Minister for Education who has indicated her intention to amend the Vocational Education Act, 1930, to provide amongst other things, for greater teacher involvement and she has already initiated steps towards this end. I have indicated to the unions that they should put their case for representation to the Minister for Education in view of the proposed amendment of the 1930 Act.