Two teachers cannot take VEC seats

TWO teachers elected to their local Vocational Education Committees (VECs) have been told they cannot take their places because they hold managerial jobs.

Mary Farrell and Tom Costello were chosen in last month’s elections of staff representatives to Longford and Roscommon VECs, respectively.

But the Department of Education has ruled that because they are adult education organisers (AEOs) with their respective VECs, they are barred from taking their seats. It has cited 1925 and 1974 legislation governing local elections, which precludes any staff member above clerical officer grade in a local authority, including VECs, from also becoming a member.