Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the proposed amalgamation of vocational education committees, when and how a decision will be made regarding the location of offices and if Wexford will retain a base in this respect; if voluntary redundancy packages will be available to staff and the other options available to staff in terms of relocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41753/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Implementation of the Government decision to reduce the overall number of VECs to from 33 to 16 will be carried within a timeframe of approximately 18 months.

Many of the detailed aspects of the restructuring, including the location of the headquarters of the new VECs and 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 also 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.