Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 8

Written Answers. - Proposed Regional Education Councils.

Donal Carey

Question:

16 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education in view of her announced intention to retain vocational education committees, if she intends to establish regional education committees; and, if so, the relationship between the vocational education committees and the regional education committees and the vocational education committees and the proposed Boards of Management. [1154/94]

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

66 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she intends to proceed with the establishment of the proposed Regional Education Councils; the proposed relationship between the Councils and vocational education committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1046/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I intend to take Questions Nos. 16 and 66 together.

I intend to fulfil the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to establish an intermediate education structure. The White Paper will elaborate in detail on the powers, functions and responsibilities of Regional Education Councils (RECs), which will be established under new legislation. My intention, subject to final decisions at Government level, is that the RECs will have substantial co-ordination and support service functions, broadly along the lines proposed in the Position Paper on RECs, but informed by the subsequent roundtable discussions.

In the Position Paper on RECs, it was recognised that specific arrangements would be necessary in relation to the ownership/trusteeship of Vocational Education Committee (VEC) schools. My view is that Vocational Education Committees would continue to function as statutorily-based providers of education within the framework established nationally by the Minister for Education and regionally by each REC. Vocational education committees would have the same relationship with the RECs as the other providers of education, within their remit.

Under this framework, the vocational education committees would continue to own their schools and employ the staff in their schools. The intention would be that all vocational education committee schools will have Boards of Management and the vocational education committees will appoint these boards, having regard to the criteria applying to all other schools.

I also envisage that the vocational education committees would continue with their role in the provision of vocational education and training and adult and continuing education in their schools. Other providers would also be free to have a role in the provision of these activities. The RECs would act as the co-ordinating bodies in regard to these areas through their role as the channel for the delivery of Exchequer funding.

The role I envisage for vocational education committees would also ensure that there is a smooth transition into the new system. The White Paper will set out in detail the transitional arrangements to the new structures. It is also my firm intention that the necessary legislation would ensure that respective roles and responsibilities of RECs and vocational education committees are set out and that all schools and providers would enter the new structures on an equal basis.