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.

The Teachers Union of Ireland has raised the issue with the Department of Education and is hopeful that Education Minister Mary Hanafin will intervene to ensure both members are cleared to take their seats. “We’re concerned that elected representatives are being denied the right to take their positions,” said TUI general secretary Jim Dorney.

However, a Department of Education spokesperson said that for employees of a VEC to serve as members would pose a conflict of interest.

“Any change in the classification of their employment would require a change to legislation and there is no intention of doing that,” she said.

Ms Farrelly and Mr Costello served on the outgoing VECs as TUI representatives when they were teachers and continued in their position after becoming AEOs.

Last month’s elections were the first such votes for staff and parent representatives on the country’s 33 committees.

Mr Costello said that none of the provisions of the older legislation were considered when the 2001 act governing elections to VECs was being drafted.

The VECs umbrella body, the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), said it circulated the department’s advice before the elections.