Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Vocational Education Committees.

Richard Bruton

Question:

448 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the basis on which the vocational education committees' boards will be constituted after the next local elections in view of the the promised legislation to provide places for parents and teachers. [27728/98]

Richard Bruton

Question:

449 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to introduce a short Bill in advance of the local elections to provide parent and teacher representation on vocational education boards; and if he will accept a private members Bill in this area. [27729/98]

Richard Bruton

Question:

450 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances under which he can disband a board of a vocational education committee; and if any prospective legislation on the makeup of vocational education committee boards can be applied retrospectively to boards which have been appointed following a local election. [27730/98]

Richard Bruton

Question:

451 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parent groups hope to elect parents for nomination to vocational education committees' boards in tandem with the forthcoming local elections; and if he has satisfied himself with the procedures which they intend to use in selecting such parents. [27731/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to answer Qustions Nos. 448, 449, 450 and 451 together.

It is my intention to introduce legislation to strengthen the vocational education sector. In this context, amendment of the vocational education Acts will be required which will include provision for parental and teacher representation on vocational education committees. Before finalising legislative proposals, I consider it desirable that the relevant stakeholders in this sector be fully consulted and their views given careful consideration.

In the circumstances I do not propose to legislate in an over hasty manner on this matter. I expect to be in a position to publish a Bill to amend the vocational education Acts in mid 1999. The enactment of the legislation will depend among other things on the Government's overall legislative programme.

In the circumstances, after the next local elections, vocational education committees will be elected by the relevant local authorities on the basis of the current statutory position which is set out in the Vocational Education Act, 1930.

As an interim measure and in view of the pending legislation my Department will be in contact with local authorities with a view to encouraging them to exercise their powers so as to ensure an appropriate representation of teachers and parents on vocational education committees after the next local elections. My Department in its consultations with the relevant stakeholders will consider suitable procedures to be adopted for the nomination of appropriate representatives.

I intend also that the provisions in the amending legislation with regard to statutory representation of parents and teachers on vocational education committees will be implemented from a current date when enacted. I am satisfied that it will not be necessary to give the proposed legislation retrospective effect as the legislation will dissolve committees established under the 1930 Act and reconstitute them under the new legislation. The precise legal arrangements to be contained in the Bill will of course be subject to the advice of the parliamentary draftsman and the Attorney General.