Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that County Louth Vocational Education Committee will see a 200 student increase in its first year post primary classes in September 2011; if his further attention has been drawn to the work being conducted by the VEC sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9836/11]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the vocational education committees. [9834/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 11 together.

County Louth VEC has informed my Department that it projects an increased enrolment of 216 students in September 2011. My Department has therefore given provisional approval for an additional 11 teaching posts, which will be subject to confirmation of the actual enrolment in September. All vacancies and any additional teaching posts should, where possible, be filled through the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers.

Devolved funding for nine additional mainstream classrooms was approved by my Department in 2010 for schools that operate under the management of County Louth VEC, in order to cater for their immediate accommodation needs. The classrooms are currently in construction and should be ready for occupation in September 2011.

I appreciate the record of accomplishment of vocational education committees throughout this country in delivering a high quality education. The VEC system has made a significant contribution to the development of our education system. It has a tradition of providing high quality education and of placing a particular emphasis on meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged in our society.

As the Deputy will be aware, the previous Government decided to reduce the number of VECs from 33 to 16, and on the merger of particular VECs. I want to ensure that progress is made in bringing about a reduction in the number of VECs. I invited the Irish Vocational Education Association, IVEA, to submit alternative rationalisation proposals, as it had expressed concerns on the configuration of the proposed new entities. I am informed the IVEA will respond shortly. I have made clear to the IVEA that while I am open to considering proposals on alternative configurations, the invitation does not mean the process of rationalisation will be slowed or diminished.

In considering the submission from the IVEA regarding particular mergers, I will seek savings and to ensure that the new structure will involve a substantial reduction in the number of individual bodies, but with each remaining one of greater scale than currently. I am confident that this merger will ensure an even higher quality educational service for students and the public alike.

Regardless of the final shape of the reconfiguration, there will still be a requirement for co-operation and joint endeavour between all of the new local bodies. The current work on arriving at a single grant awarding body for the student support schemes is a good example of avoiding duplication and achieving improved public service delivery.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Is there a timescale for the rationalisation programme? I presume the thinking behind the rationalisation has to do with cost savings. What cost savings will there be as a result of the amalgamation of these services. Different changes have been proposed over the years for this sector by the various parties, but to a large extent the system as it exists has worked and there have been successful outcomes for students. Why is the system being tinkered with now when the savings that will be made are minimal. Why are we going ahead with amalgamation of these VECs? The VECs have been democratic, open and accountable bodies, but we are talking about reducing their number. This will be harmful to students and I do not see the logic behind the plan for reducing the number of committees.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am informed that the original estimation of the savings that might be obtained is of the order of €3 million. I hope that when we get into the detail of the amalgamation the savings will be even greater. The configuration and structure of the VECs reflect an Ireland that no longer exists in terms of transport, access and communications and there is a wide discrepancy in the scale and operation of the different VECs. The one with which the Deputy is familiar, County Dublin VEC, is an enormous operation with a vast number of post-primary schools, not to mention an array of support services for further education, adult education and literacy. In contrast, other VECs have very small budgets and turnover of less than €15 million, as against €50 million. We hope to achieve savings and sensible rationalisation, having regard to modern communications and transportation contacts.

With regard to the timeframe, I expect to hear back from the IVEA within the next ten days or so. I will then bring a proposal to Government that will set out the proposal for proceeding with the rationalisation and for legislative reform in the context of the VECs, their entitlements and the possibilities. Eight Acts since 1930 cover the operation of the VECs. This legislation needs to be consolidated so that we can provide clarity for the sector. I look forward, with the co-operation of the House to debate here and with the Oireachtas committee on the issues. I hope we will have certainty by the end of the year and that the legislation may be enacted by then. I know from previous experience that the worst thing that can happen to any organisation is for a pronouncement of change to be made and for that to be followed by uncertainty with regard to the timeframe and the delivery. That puts everybody on the defensive and the uncertainty compounds the difficulties. Drawing from previous experience, I am determined to avoid that outcome.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Has the Minister decided on which areas he intends to amalgamate?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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No. I met the IVEA before becoming Minister and subsequently and informed it that if it could come up with the same type of savings, and the same kind of configuration of 16 bodies I was open in principle to considering it. I have not set my heart on a particular configuration. There are alternatives, but I will wait to see the IVEA suggestions. I gather the central council has come up with a set of recommendations, but these must still be signed up to by the individual VECs. The matter lies with them and as soon as I receive the proposals, I will move forward.