O’Keeffe: Plan to overhaul VEC to be ready in weeks

PLANS for an overhaul of Vocational Education Committees are to be put before the Cabinet within weeks, according to Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe.

Officials are preparing proposals that would see a reduction by up to one-third in the 33 city and county VECs that currently run second-level schools, further education, adult education and other training services. The Bord Snip Nua report last year included a recommendation to cut the number to 22, which Mr O’Keeffe has previously indicated he considers as reasonable.

However, while still in discussions with representatives from the sector, including the umbrella body, the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), the minister said any changes are more than just about changes in numbers.

“We have to take a look at the way things are done at the ground level. It’s not just about numbers for me, I want to rationalise VECs and look at them in terms of delivery of education services,” he said. “I’ve been discussing this with the IVEA and the chief executives and I would be hoping to be able to bring proposals to Cabinet in the next month.”

Among the areas believed to be under examination are centralising functions like payroll, human resources and procurement, which are all carried out separately within each VEC.

As well as being responsible for 240 vocational schools and community colleges, VECs run further education colleges with more than 30,000 students, Youthreach programmes for early school-leavers and adult education services.

The VECs also administer around two-thirds of third-level student grants, currently received by around 60,000 students, and are due to take over operation of the entire grants system under the Student Support Bill which has been awaiting movement in the Dáil for almost two years.

Mr O’Keeffe said the impending rationalisation of VECs will have been one of his most significant achievements since taking office in May 2008.