Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the input he has had into the process of vocational education committee amalgamation; if VEC amalgamations and the costs associated with some of the new arrangements have any part in the comprehensive spending review; the analysis that has been done by him of proposed changes to the VEC structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29452/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The rationalisation and amalgamation of VECs and the precise mechanics of how that will be implemented is primarily a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills. I support the whole concept of VEC rationalization. I am keen that this approach should both produce significant savings and improve services. The VEC rationalization process has fed into the overall Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in the Education Sector which is currently the subject of detailed discussions between my Department and the Department of Education and Skills. I see the VEC rationalization process as one element in the overall effort to improve services in the education area and, with particular regard to those seeking to move from unemployment back into the labour force, in the area of further education and training.