Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2012
39 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to the merger of the vocational education committees and the establishment of local education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19407/12]
View answerIn October 2011, following Government approval, the General Scheme of an Education and Training Boards Bill was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education. The General Scheme was also published at that time. Following the committee's report to which I responded on 25 January 2012, the General Scheme was referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for formal drafting. It is intended that the Bill will be published in advance of the summer recess. Also in October 2011, my Department concluded an agreement with SIPTU, the trade union representing the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of VECs, on a redeployment scheme for CEOs in the context of the Croke Park agreement. This scheme will be used, in the first instance, for determining the appointment of CEOs to the new Education and Training Boards, following the enactment of the relevant legislation.
