Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 3

Written Answers. - VEC Vacancies.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

119 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when it was decided that future vacancies of a chief executive officer in a vocational education committee would be filled by a person in an acting chief executive officer capacity; if she will provide a copy of such a letter/circular; the number of such acting positions which were approved; the precise date of each approval; the person who has the authority to make such appointments; the area in which each appointment was made; the Minister in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18988/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The filling of vacancies for chief executive officer in vocational education committees, in an acting capacity, had its origins in the Green Paper "Partners in Education" proposals in 1985 for the regionalisation of education and the establishment of local education councils.

I am informed that this decision was not the subject of a general circular as decisions to appoint acting chief executive officers were communicated to vocational education committees on an individual basis as vacancies for chief executive officers occurred. Twenty acting chief executive officer appointments have been approved to date. Sixteen vocational education committees have acting chief executive officer posts. Sections 23 (1) and (2) of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, provide for the appointment of a chief executive officer by a vocational education committee subject to the approval of the Minister. The following table shows the vocational education committees where acting chief executive officer appointments have been approved, the dates of approval and the Minister for Education in office at the time of approval.

VECs: Acting chief executive officer Appointments

VEC	Date of Approval	Minister
Co. Dublin	20 August 198521 June 1995	Ms Gemma HusseyMs Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Westmeath	12 January 198731 May 199515 July 1996	Mr. Patrick CooneyMs Niamh BhreathnachMs Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Longford	16 January 1987	Mr. Patrick Cooney
Co. Kildare	23 February 1988	Ms Mary O'Rourke
Co. Mayo	23 February 1988	Ms Mary O'Rourke
Co. Carlow	20 November 1988	Ms Mary O'Rourke
Co. Wexford	28 February 19894 December 1991	Ms Mary O'RourkeMr. Noel Davern
Co. Limerick	28 September 1989	Ms Mary O'Rourke
Co. Waterford	30 August 1993	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Meath	14 August 1995	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Wicklow	5 October 1995	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Town of Tralee	18 January 1996	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Kerry	15 May 1996	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Town of Drogheda	23 July 1996	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Kilkenny	31 July 1996	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach
Co. Cork	13 August 1996	Ms Niamh Bhreathnach