Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The priority from my officials' point of view is that there be a seamless transition to the mainstream option. That will happen in July and August this year and nobody will be at a loss because of it.

With regard to the staffing issues and the expertise the Deputy referred to as being lost, namely, the 40 teachers who are ably represented by SIPTU, that is a matter for negotiation between that union and the staff and management involved from IILT. Obviously any decision by the VECs to employ any of those 40 teaching staff who will lose their jobs because of IILT's decision to close will be a matter for the VECs. I cannot dictate to them that they should employ one person over another. From the point of view of the VECs, the employment of staff will involve an open competition.

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