VEC to fight merger

VEC committee vows to fight merger proposals


Anton McNulty

Mayo VEC has been told to fight its corner and ensure that the committee is not amalgamated with Sligo which has been proposed by the Government in a cost saving measure.
Last month the Government announced that they plan to reduce the number of VEC’s in the country from 33 to 16 and proposed to merge Mayo and Sligo VEC. At last week’s Mayo VEC meeting, members criticised the proposal, saying it will only save €3 million and argued that they should do everything in their power to ensure that Mayo VEC remains a separate entity.
Dr Katie Sweeney, CEO of Mayo VEC, told the meeting that the VEC had no prior knowledge of the announcement and apart from having an annual budget of €50 million, she has not received any information on how the merger will take place but expected it may take place in the next 18 months.
She said the Mayo VEC was in the top ten VEC’s in the country and numbers enrolled in schools and centres continue to grow. She also urged members to be cautious when speaking on the future of the VEC until further information is made available and to be sympathetic to the needs of the learners and staff.
Councillors and public representative of the committee all voiced their annoyance and criticism at the proposal. Pat Kilbane, who is the committee’s representative on the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) - which represents the 33 VEC’s - said the Colm McCarthy Report recommended reducing the number of VEC’s to 22 and they should fight for the maximum number of VEC’s.
“This announcement has taken everyone by surprise including the Department. We have to empower the IVEA to enter into negotiations with the Department and Minister with a view to maximising the number of VEC’s within the country. This is going to be very difficult but we owe it to ourselves as a VEC,” he said.
During the discussion some members voiced their opinion that if there is a merger with Sligo, the headquarters of the new VEC should stay in Mayo. However, Cllr Richard Finn said the Mayo should not accept the proposal put forward by the government.
“The Department are throwing out the ball to see who will catch it and we as a VEC have to catch it before it hits the ground. We are one of the top ten VEC’s and we have a great case and are entitled to stand on our won two feet,” he said.
Cllr MicheΡl McNamara told the meeting that as a Fianna FΡil councillor he was shocked and disappointed by the proposals and they should oppose the idea of merging with Sligo or any other county.
Paddy Naughton also said it was important that Mayo remains on its own and and felt that if the two VEC’s merged it will cost more money rather than saving money.
Mayo VEC chairman, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said there were no major differences between the members and that was clear that Mayo VEC should be left alone. He added that any decision should be done for the best interest of the students.