Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
74 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions he has had to date with the staff of Longford Vocational Education Committee; when the staff will be advised of the consequences of the proposal to merge Longford and Westmeath VEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32162/11]
View answer75 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make Longford Vocational Education Committee office a sub-office of the new Mullingar headquarters of Longford Westmeath VEC. [32163/11]
View answer94 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Longford Vocational Education Committee could be a sub-office to the new headquarters of Longford-Westmeath VEC in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [32455/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 75 and 94 together.
In determining Mullingar as a headquarter location, I was aware that both Co. Westmeath and Co. Longford VECs are very closely matched. However, I am satisfied that geographically Mullingar is the most favourable location for the headquarters. I expect that headquarters staff of Co. Longford VEC will move to the designated headquarters location in Mullingar as soon as feasible. However, I expect that the office in Longford will remain open for some time and that the approach to redeployment will be measured and considered. The detail in relation to the implementation of the merger, including the move of staff to the newly designated headquarters in Mullingar, will be worked through by my Department in conjunction with the VECs involved and the new merged Education and Training Board when established. My officials are currently involved in discussions with SIPTU and IMPACT, the trade unions representing staff in the VEC sector, regarding the proposed VEC mergers. An agreement has recently been concluded with SIPTU, on a redeployment scheme for CEOs in the context of the Croke Park agreement.
