Vocational Education Committees

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Questions (257)

James Bannon

Question:

277 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will designate Longford as the headquarters of the newly amalgamated Longford and Westmeath Vocational Education Committees, in view of the fact that the site has been extended by the recent acquisition of 4.5 acres from Connolly Barracks and would provide an ideal location for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/11]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

At this point the only firm and absolute decisions taken by the Government are the decision to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16, the decision on the merger of particular counties (i.e. the revised configuration) and the decision to approve in principal the consolidation of the existing VEC legislation.

I am currently giving consideration to the question of where the headquarters of the new entities will be located. The outcome of these deliberations will be announced in the coming period.