Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education to discuss the future development of the Further Education Sector

Officials from the Department of Education and Skills and the Irish Vocational Education Association will appear before the Committee to discuss the further education sector and proposals to rationalise VECs.

Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: “Given the huge problem with unemployment and job losses in this country over the past number of years, providing people with opportunities to update their skills through further education is a key priority. It is important that we put in place a comprehensive and effective system of further education to allow people to avail of new job prospects. Recently, the Minister for Education and Skills announced the formation of a new Further Education and Training Authority SOLAS.

This meeting will provide members of the committee with an opportunity to question Department officials on the new authority in particular and further education in general, while the committee will also be able to get the perspective on the Irish Vocational Education Association on the future development of the further education sector.

The Committee will also discuss proposals on the amalgamation of VECs and educational agencies with the Irish Vocational Education Association. The Government decided on 28th June to reduce the number of VECs from 33 to 16 and on the merger of particular VECs but the configuration will be different from that proposed by the previous government. Our meeting will provide us with an opportunity to get the view of the Irish Vocational Education Association on the proposals to rational VECs.”

This meeting will take place in Committee Room 2pm on Tuesday, 20th September.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education

Membership

Damien English, TD (Chairman)
Ray Butler, TD
Áine Collins, TD
Joan Collins, TD
Michael Conaghan, TD
Barry Cowen, TD
Seán Crowe, TD
Tom Fleming, TD
Brendan Griffin, TD
John Halligan, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Anthony Lawlor, TD
John Lyons, TD
Nicky McFadden, TD
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, TD
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD
Willie O’Dea, TD
Brendan Ryan, TD
Brendan Smith, TD
Peadar Tóibín, TD

Senators

Deirdre Clune,
John Kelly,
Michael Mullins,
Marie Louise O’Donnell,
Averil Power,
Feargal Quinn.