I raise this as a matter of grave concern which is affecting many people employed in the VEC and reducing its efficiency. There are 25 staff members based in Mullingar who give an amazing service. I was a member of County Westmeath VEC from 1999 and I am aware of the fantastic work it does. The country-wide configuration with which the Minister has provided us is daft. County Westmeath has a strong natural affinity with County Longford and together they form the electoral constituency of Longford-Westmeath. The idea of putting County Westmeath together with County Offaly is wrong because it belongs with County Longford. I understand there are cost savings involved. The Minister hopes to save €3 million. I believe, however, that counties Longford and Westmeath would work much better together — the county councils already work closely together — and the headquarters of the VEC should be in Mullingar. The VECs concerned are willing and able to facilitate this.
The VEC owns a premises in Laois, but I question its capacity. Is there a room to cater for the expanding service? There are many schools of which I am aware, including Athlone community college, of which I am a former chairman. The 25 staff members of the VEC have provided a fantastic service for many years to the benefit of the community and I believe they would be willing to provide an expanded service for counties Longford and Westmeath. I know from experience that connecting County Westmeath with counties Laois and Offaly would not work. There is no question about it. There is no affinity between these areas, but there is a connection between counties Longford and Westmeath.
I ask the Minister to ensure counties Longford and Westmeath remain together and that the VEC headquarters are established in Mullingar which has the capability and the facilities to deal with the expanding service. We have the space required and the VEC's position on a roundabout off the N4 gives access to the massive motorway network. There is a structure in place that will facilitate the expansion of the service. I ask the Minister to pass on my comments to the Minister for Education and Skills and thank him for listening to me.