Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:126 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if she intends to carry out a rationalisation programme of vocational educational committees within this country. [6137/95]
Written Answers. - VEC Rationalisation.
The recently published White Paper on education Charting our Education Future sets out Government policy in this area. It has been decided that there will be legislative reform and rationalisation of the vocational education committee system.
An important factor in considering the geographical remit of vocational education committees is the need for a sufficiently large area to provide for the effective concentration, rather than a wide dispersal, of resources. Judged by this criterion, the areas of jurisdiction of many of the existing vocational education committees would appear to be too small to be cost effective. This applies, in particular, to the urban district vocational education committees but also extends to some county vocational education committees.
The Commission on School Accommodation Needs, which will be established shortly, will, as a first task, examine the existing vocational education committee structure and report and make recommendations on the rationalisation of vocational education committees. The report and recommendations will be set in the context of the establishment, functions and responsibilities of the education boards. The Commission will also have full regard to the key principles and policy aims set out in the White Paper.
The legislative rationalisation of vocational education committees will be implemented in advance of the formal establishment of education boards, taking full account of the recommendations of the Commission.