Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the restructuring of the vocational education committee sector; the staffing changes that will be achieved under the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41321/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has decided to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16 and to merge particular city and or county VECs. Implementation of these changes will be carried out by officials of my Department working directly with the VECs and other stakeholders. This project will have a timeframe for implementation of approximately 18 months. Many of the detailed aspects of the restructuring, including the number of administrative staff which each of the new VEC entities will have, will fall to be considered and worked through by my Department in conjunction with the VECs involved in any one merger before decisions are taken. Implementation will involve consultation with the unions representing employees in the sector and other stakeholders. The Croke Park Agreement provides the basis upon which the precise detail of staff redeployment will operate and will be worked through in consultation with the unions that are a party to that agreement.