Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012
84. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the impact that the budget cuts to the vocational education committee sector will have on the delivery of services and how VECs will be able to maintain services at the same level in view of such significant cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55871/12]
View answerI want to clarify for the Deputy that while the budget measure I announced in relation to VEC funding involves a reduction in the allocation for 2013 it is not a cut in real terms. This is because it takes account of the capacity of VECs to utilise cash balances on a once off basis. As I announced on budget day, VECs will in 2013 be required to manage their services from within the resources they will carryover and the new funding they will receive throughout 2013 which will be sufficient to maintain services. On average the reduction across the sector is €400,000 but this will vary depending on the carryover situation in each VEC. My Department will finalise the reduction for each VEC as part of the normal communication that takes place each year to settle individual budgets.
