Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011
28 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria applied in selecting the head offices for the proposed new vocational education committee entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34773/11]
View answer38 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he proposes to designate any other existing vocational education committees head offices as sub-offices for the new VEC entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34778/11]
View answer46 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any opportunity or mechanism for local vocational education committees to challenge the application of the criteria used to decide the location of headquarters of the new amalgamated VECs; if he is open to alternative proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34860/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 38 and 46 together.
In arriving at my decision in relation to the location of headquarters of the merged VECs, I considered a range of factors including the need to ensure that the location of a VEC headquarters will, to the greatest extent possible, facilitate staff redeployment under a redeployment scheme within the context of the Croke Park Agreement and the need to operate at lowest cost having regard to the accommodation available in existing locations.
In addition to the head offices which I have announced, I have decided to maintain a number of sub offices where staff redeployment from the head office of an existing VEC to the head office of the relevant Education and Training Board is precluded because of the distance requirements provided for under the Croke Park agreement.
I expect that while headquarters staff employed in offices which have not been designated as a head office or a sub office of an Education and Training Board will move to the designated headquarters location as soon as feasible, these offices will remain open for some time and the approach to redeployment will be measured and considered.
I am anxious to ensure that swift progress continues to be made in the work of bringing about a reduction in the number of VECs. In this regard, while my decision in relation to the locations of head offices and sub offices is final, I want to make clear that my Department will not be forcing any one size fits all approach to staff deployment and office accommodation by the new Education and Training Boards. I will be receptive to any reasonable and sensible arrangements that are the best fit for the needs of the areas served by the new board.
