Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
353. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the persons who hold the responsibility for the decision regarding the location of the headquarters for the proposed Mid West Regional Vocational Education Committee; if the headquarters will be located in Limerick city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4558/13]
View answerIn October 2011, 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. The Deputy will be aware that in respect of the specific merger of City of Limerick VEC with Co. Limerick VEC and Co. Clare VEC I decided that the headquarters of the Education and Training Board will be in Limerick (greater city area). 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.
