Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. That has been the practice at VEC level previously. There have been abuses in terms of how it has been operated but the Bill moves away from a position whereby the ETB has a presence. I spent a short time, 18 months, as a member of a VEC and sat on two or three boards of management, actually within my own area. I found it useful that there was a member of the VEC able to comment to VEC board members and it nipped issues in the bud. It meant there was a linkage at all times between the VEC and its core work at secondary level, which was managing the schools under its remit. If we get away from that culture whereby there is not a requirement to have an ETB board member at management meetings, over time one will see it becoming increasingly the practice at ETBs that there will not be ETB board members at meetings because it will be difficult and inconvenient for them to attend.

I attended board of management meetings and they were not necessarily something to which one looked forward. They were a pain but it was an obligation and the meetings were productive and useful.

Every school has ongoing issues, such as disciplinary or developmental issues. It would also be very useful for those in VEC management to have somebody on the board who attends meetings who they can ask about what is happening. The VEC can also talk to school management but an ETB board member could provide this link. If we move away from this, over time a vacuum will be created which would be to the detriment of the sector. It would allow issues arise and develop which may not happen as quickly if the link were in place.

I understand what the Minister is saying about having a panel and appointing people directly. This acknowledges the issue which exists but it does not ensure a direct link between the ETB and each board of management. I am not sure whether having 18 members makes it logistically feasible. It would put a lot of work on the members to attend. It would be more than possible to draw up a structure to ensure members attend local schools. A scheme should be in place so that where a certain amount of work is to be done a formula ensures members attend the school closest to them and the work burden is divided evenly. Losing this would impact on the governance of the ETB over the schools it controls.