merrion street

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD welcomed the decision by his colleague Ruairi Quinn, Minister for Education and Skills regarding the restructuring of Vocational Education Committees today (29 June, 2011) contained in the newly proposed legislation agreed at Cabinet earlier this week.

The proposed new bill will provide for the reduction of the current 33 to 16 new bodies which will better reflect their current and prospective role in relation to education and training.

Minister Deenihan said: "under the new legislation only three of the existing entities will continue of which Kerry is one. The VEC in Kerry is a well established, cost effective, exceptionally well regulated statutory agency which delivers value for money in all the services which it provides."

In welcoming the decision Minister Deenihan acknowledged that in these difficult economic times, hard decision need to be taken. "However, these decisions also need to facilitate positive outcomes for Irish people and the economy, sound long term decision making and planning is vital and the securing of the status of Kerry VEC as a stand alone entity is critical to the people of Kerry at this time" added Minister Deenihan.