A Galway city councillor has slammed the Government for its “lack of detail” on plans to restructure the Vocational Education Committee system, a move that could have serious implications for the future delivery of vital educational services in the city and county.
Cllr Colette Connolly, who is also a member of the City of Galway VEC, has criticised the Department of Education for failing to provide further details on how the reduction in the number of VECs will actually be carried out and for being short-sighted by failing to tackle the waste of taxpayers’ money on renting payments.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, announced on Tuesday that the Government has agreed the restructuring of the VEC system by reducing the number from 33 to 16. The cut will involve the merger of a number of existing VECs including Galway city and county.
Commenting on the plans Cllr Connolly said she was not surprised by the decision to restructure, however, she was concerned that the reduction is far greater than the 22 flagged in the McCarthy Report, which the previous minister for education Batt O’Keeffe conveyed to the Irish Vocational Educational Authority at its annual conference.
Cllr Connolly said while she agreed that savings need to be made, especially in a recession, it is not clear what efficiencies and savings will be obtained.
“Nor is it clear why the Government has decided to leave four VECs, city of Dublin, Donegal - the Tánaiste’s own constituency - and Cork city and Cork County - Minister O’Keeffe’s constituency - unchanged,” said Cllr Connolly who added that there is total confusion regarding the amalgamation of Galway city and county VECs.
There are currently 33 different VECs which have their own administrative structure and which vary in size. The Department of Education hopes to save €42 million in the current administrative budget. Savings are expected to be made by way of salary cost reduction, disposal of surplus accommodation, and cuts to the number of chief executive officers, however, these senior figures cannot be made redundant under the terms of the Croke Park agreement.
However Cllr Connolly has critised the Government for “steadfastly refusing to look at other very obvious cost saving measures in the sector”.
“Currently the CGVEC pays over half a million in rental payments per annum to private landlords which is a complete and utter waste of taxpayers’ money. Furthermore, the Department has not given any decision to approve plans submitted by the CGVEC last year for a purpose build head office and educational facility to accommodate VTOS, Adult Literacy, Youthreach, and other facilities on lands already in their ownership on the Tuam Road, which would obviate the need immediately for renting of facilities in the private sector,” said Cllr Connolly
Expressing concern for the future delivery of educational services Cllr Connolly said that these services are needed now more than ever, and that once again the vulnerable are being picked on.
“CGVEC is playing an increasing role in the provision of educational services, providing secondary and further education, literacy and educational supports for students throughout the city. In addition, the CGVEC funds educational projects that benefit local communities. I fear that the amalgamation of the city and county VECs will adversely affect the delivery of educational services to those most educationally disadvantaged, reducing accessibility, which is often a major factor in students deciding to return to education,” she said.
