Fianna Fáil councillors react to VEC cuts

FIANNA FÁIL councillors may raise concerns with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan about her plans to cut the number of Vocational Education Committees by more than half.

The boards of the 33 existing VECs, due to be reduced to 16 under proposals announced on Tuesday, include more than 300 city, county and town councillors. But this number is likely to fall significantly under the plans that would see all but four VECs merged with one or two of their neighbouring committees.

Gerry Horkan, chairperson of the Fianna Fáil national councillors’ forum, said VEC members are willing to look at the proposal and see if genuine savings can be made and help increase or improve education services.