Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
122 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the VEC positions are not being filled now during the annual general meeting of the county councils being held in June 2004; and the reason it is necessary to delay this selection until September 2004. [18952/04]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act, 2001 provides that in addition to the members elected by the county borough or council in the vocational education area and members elected by town councils, formerly urban district councils, the composition of vocational education committees shall also include two members elected by parents, two members elected by VEC staff and four members to be appointed who will be representative of other constituencies including students, voluntary organisations and the business community.
The election of VEC members by parents and staff is scheduled to take place in September next when schools are re-opened after the summer vacation. In the circumstances I am of the view that the election of members by local authorities should also take place in September next. Accordingly, I have asked the local authorities, through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, not to elect members to the VEC at this time.
