Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 153: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used in selecting the locations for the headquarters for the amalgamated vocational education committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28658/11]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 156: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the relatively low rental cost of the Longford Vocational Education Committee, its central facilities, and its accessibility were taken into consideration in the locating of the headquarters of the newly amalgamated Longford and Westmeath VEC; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28684/11]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Longford was not designated as the headquarters of the merged Longford and Westmeath vocational education committees, in view of the considerable investment made in its facilities by him, over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/11]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on Longford Vocational Education Committee as a sub-office should it not be possible to redeploy all staff to Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28686/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 156 to 158, inclusive, together.

In arriving at this decision, I considered a range of factors including the need to ensure that the location of a VEC headquarters will, to the greatest extent possible, facilitate staff redeployment under a redeployment scheme within the context of the Croke Park Agreement and the need to operate at lowest cost having regard to the accommodation available in existing locations. In determining Mullingar as a headquarter location, I was aware that both Co. Westmeath and Co. Longford VECs are very closely matched on the criteria mentioned above. However, I am satisfied that geographically, Mullingar is the most favourable location for the HQ.