VEC strike could affect exam students

EXAM preparation for thousands of Junior and Leaving Certificate students could be disrupted if a strike over staffing levels at vocational schools goes ahead.

Talks will be held tomorrow aimed at averting the strike action by up to 700 administration staff at around 250 schools from next Monday.

Concern has already been expressed about the likely impact on payment of wages to around 8,000 teachers and allowances to 5,000 unemployed people on courses, should the strike go ahead.