Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that have been made through the merger of Tipperary north and south vocational education committees, VECs, into Tipperary Education and Training Board, ETB, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 respectively. [41350/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In June 2011, the Government decided to reduce the overall number of vocationaleducation committees (VECs) from 33 to 16. The VECs were dissolved on 1 July 2013 and were replaced with 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

The change was intended to strengthen locally managed education and enhance the scale of local education and training. It represented a major component of the public service transformation agenda. The new configuration also facilitated new provisions including the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FÁS and paved the way for the transfer of training functions and training centres to the newly formed Education and Training Boards. The change better positioned the sector for future development and facilitated the required reductions, under the public service Employment Control Framework, of administrative staff employed in the sector, while protecting the services provided.

Details of specific savings from each ETB are not readily available. However, economies arising from the restructuring include those achieved as a result of reductions in administrative staffing costs linked to streamlining of functions within ETBs and the operating of the moratorium on recruitment and redeployment of surplus staff, including an ultimate reduction in the number of Chief Executive posts from 33 to 16. In some instances savings have also arisen from consolidating administrative functions in fewer locations.

Plans are also advanced for the establishment of shared services facilities in the areas of finance and payroll which should result in improved efficiency and consistency in financial and payroll management, and the feeing up of resources for other priorities.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of full working days the chief executive officer of Tipperary Education and Training Board, ETB, has worked in the head office in Nenagh since the appointment in July 2013. [41351/17]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of days the chief executive officer of Tipperary Education and Training Board, ETB, has been present in the head office in Nenagh since the appointment in July 2013. [41352/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions 152 and 153 together.

The role of a Chief Executive of an ETB is varied and includes strategic as well as operational responsibilities. Chief Executives generally attend the ETB's schools and centres from time to time as well as being required to travel to participate in a range of committees, initiatives or meetings with other stakeholders including my Department and other bodies such as ETBI, SOLAS, TUSLA, DCYA, NCCA, and QQI. Tipperary ETB has 30 premises across its functional area.

While headquartered in the Nenagh office, I understand from the ETB that outside of the above the Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB spends time in both the Nenagh and Clonmel offices.  For operational reasons all statutory meetings and senior staff meetings are rotated between Nenagh, Thurles and Clonmel to accommodate staff and Committee members travelling from various parts of the county.

Chief Executives are accountable to the Board of the relevant Education and Training Board. My Department is not involved in the micromanagement of their day to day activities.