VEC accountability - Answerable to taxpayers

The Cork County Vocational Education Committee (CCVEC) is acting as if it is unanswerable to the people who are funding it to the tune of almost €100m annually.

This is an affront to responsible governance and to democracy itself.

The committee has managed to avoid embroilment in controversy over its mismanagement by refusing to answer any questions. It is not as if there are no questions to be answered.

There is the issue of the convicted rapist from Manchester who was allowed to drive pupils in Cork without being checked. The public needs to know how this happened to ensure it will not happen again. Such behaviour thrives in the culture of secrecy, as society has become so painfully aware with the plethora of clerical paedophile scandals of recent years.

Extensive questions need to be asked about the CCVEC’s handling of human resources, signed leases, and the buying and selling of equipment. The public requires an explanation about the massive waste of money involved in the computer project at Glanmire Community College, the Macroom Youthreach scheme, and the sailing training programme being funded while its flagship was in dry dock.

The CCVEC and every other VEC throughout the country should be held answerable and accountable. It should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act without further delay.