Radical plan will cut number of VECs from 33 to 16

THE number of VECs is to be halved under radical streamlining measures announced by the Government yesterday.

Under the plan unveiled by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, the number of VECs will be cut from 33 to 16, with boards merging in almost every area.

Cork City and County VECs will merge, as will Co Dublin and Dun Laoghaire, while city and county VECs will also merge in Galway, Limerick and Waterford.