VEC chiefs reject plan to cut numbers

THE heads of the country’s Vocational Education Committees (VECs) have rejected the need to cut their numbers as proposed by the Government.

The number of VEC chief executives is expected to reduce from 33 to 16 to match the drop in committee numbers announced yesterday by Education Minister and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan. They earn salaries of up to €146,000 but it is unclear if these will continue to be paid to those who give up their jobs in VECs that merge with neighbouring committees.

The Chief Executive and Education Officers Association (CEEOA) said last night that it does not welcome the aggregation of VECs and emphasised that the staff required to meet any new Government objective must be provided to the sector. “This announcement has significant implications for the members of our association.