Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used to decide the categorisation of the proposed Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim Education and Training Broad as a Category 2 Education and Training Board; the criteria that was not met in assessing it for Category 1 status; the scores awarded to each of the Education and Training Boards in each criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46231/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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On 19 June last, my Department published Circular 0024/2012 which detailed the categorisation of the new Education and Training Boards (ETBs), once established, for the purposes of the pay scales applicable to Chief Executive Officers of these Boards. The categorisation of each ETB, including the Board encompassing Counties Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, is based on a proposal set out by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on the criteria used by the LRC in formulating its proposal, or on how such criteria may have been applied in the case of the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB.

However, I am also aware of a perception that suggests these categorisations are an attempt to 'downgrade' some ETBs. I can confirm unequivocally that this categorisation relates only to determining the salary scale applicable to the Chief Executive Officer of each of the new ETBs. The categorisation laid out in the Circular has no role whatsoever in determining staffing numbers or structures in individual ETBs.