Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
210. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on the location of the new headquarters for the amalgamation of Limerick and Clare Local Education Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54261/12]
View answerIn October of last year, I announced and published the headquarter locations where VECs are being merged as a result of the Government decision to reduce the number of VECs from 33 to 16. In relation to the specific merger of City of Limerick VEC with Co. Limerick VEC and Co. Clare VEC as you know I have decided that the headquarters of the Education and Training Board will be in Limerick (greater city area).
Redeployment of staff from Ennis to Limerick is possible under the Croke Park agreement. However I expect that the office in Ennis will remain open for some time and that the approach to redeployment will be measured and considered. It will be a matter for the CEO of the new Education and Training Board to work through and judge what the best approach is to ensure the optimum approach to service delivery. The establishment of SOLAS is also likely to have a bearing on the precise arrangements to be made. 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. We 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.
