Vol. 470 No. 4
173 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has regarding the implementation of the report of the steering group of the Commission on School Accommodation in connection with the vocational education committee system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19102/96]
I have received the report of the steering group of the Commission on School Accommodation Needs on the rationalisation of the vocational education committees.
I accept in principle the steering group recommendations for rationalisation. As a first step in the process of rationalisation, I intend to proceed with the making of orders to amalgamate the five town vocational education committees — Bray, Sligo, Tralee, Drogheda and Wexford — with their respective county vocational education committees.
At the same time, I will put in place a process of facilitation to ensure that these amalgamations proceed smoothly, while retaining local committees representing the five towns until the next local elections.
The final decisions on future amalgamations will be taken in the context of the amending of the current vocational education legislation.
