Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

This is the first time I have availed of the new topical issue system. It is good that it allows for an exchange of views. I am raising the matter of the designation of headquarter locations in the new vocational education committee structure. I am anxious that the Minister for Education and Skills approve the location of a VEC sub-office in Ennis, County Clare. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilsitating my request to raise this issue in the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, who is here instead of the Minister, Deputy Quinn.

The rationalisation or amalgamation of any department is never easy, but the current tough economic circumstances obviously make it particularly difficult. When there is restructuring on a regional basis, it can involve the transfer of services from one county to another. I would have thought there was a compelling case for County Clare VEC to remain independent, in the light of its budget, enrolment size and geographical location. However, it has been decided to merge it with the two Limerick VECs. The Minister announced on Tuesday that the headquarters of the new merged VEC would be in Limerick. I am disappointed that the decision does not provide for a sub-office of the VEC to be located in Ennis. Once again, County Clare is losing out on an essential service.

The staff of the extremely busy County Clare VEC office in Ennis do an excellent job. A great deal of vocational education services are provided from the Ennis office. Deputies will be aware that at this time of the year the VECs deal with a huge volume of applications as they administer the third level maintenance grants scheme. I know this because my office interacts with County Clare VEC on a daily basis. While applicants can use the online application service, the reality is that each application can generate a number of inquiries which need to be dealt with on a one-to-one basis. I know of a young man from Kilrush who had to drop into the VEC office in Ennis on four occasions to follow up on his application.

County Clare VEC provides a range of other services. It processes school transport applications for the 18 post-primary schools in the county. It is involved in adult and further education. It administers the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Bell Harbour which provides a quality outdoor education experience for people of all ages. It also runs St. Joseph's Education and Training Centre which mainly caters for Travellers.

I ask the Minister to have regard to the geography of County Clare when he reconsiders his decision not to locate a sub-office of the new amalgamated VEC in Ennis. The closure of the existing office in Ennis would cause significant inconvenience for many people. A person from Kilrush who has a query with the VEC would have to travel to Limerick, a round trip of 160 km.

We have already experienced closures in Ennis. When the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food closed its office there last year, it had an impact on farmers. We all recognise that the need to drive efficiencies is extremely important, but it cannot always be done at the expense of people. I suggest the retention of a sub-office in Ennis would be cost-neutral because the Department owns the building in Ennis. It would make economic sense to continue the use of the facility.

County Clare always seems to be the poor relation when decisions on regional services are being made. We have already lost our accident and emergency service and our Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food office to Limerick and now we are about to lose our VEC office. I ask the Minister to reconsider his decision and learn from the mistakes of the past. The location of a VEC sub-office in Ennis to maintain some level of service in County Clare would make economic sense, notwithstanding the problems being faced by the VECs and the Department of Education and Skills.

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