Anger at VEC spending cuts

Anger at proposed spending cuts


Anton McNulty

THE DEPARTMENT of Education has been accused by the committee of Mayo VEC of reacting in a short-sighted manner after they were told that they would have to cut their spending by three per cent.
The committee of Mayo VEC was told by its CEO, Dr Katie Sweeney, that she had received correspondence from the Department of Education that they were seeking a root and branch review of their spending and the VEC, along with other branches of the public sector, must reduce its spending by three per cent.
The call for a three per cent cutback met with criticism from a number of members of the Mayo VEC who said the decision was narrow-minded and would affect the education of young people. There was also calls by some members to resist making any cuts to the education sector.
Castlebar-based councillor, Johnny Mee, told the meeting that a guillotine was hanging over every VEC in the country and they were being left with no room to manoeuvre. He called the proposed three per cent cut ‘outrageous’ and said everyone would suffer if the VEC is ‘watered down’ in the next few years.
Seán Staunton said he did not agree with the decision by the Department to tell the VEC to reduce their spending by three per cent without any room for debate and called for the committee to resist the Department’s decision. His comments were echoed by Davitt College teacher, Tony Deffley, who claimed the Department’s decision was short-sighted and said the services to students should not be diminished.
“We must fight the Department on this issue because there should be no loss to learners and the students’ services should not be diminished. It seems to me they think that administration is not important but it is vital for the efficient running of the VEC as a whole,” he said.
Cllr Frank Chambers said he did not welcome the cuts but said there were cutbacks in all areas of the public sector and they had to face reality. He said they had to put the VEC on a forward footing and it was their responsibility as a committee to look after the budget and make sure whatever is proposed is done with equity and fairness.
Dr Katie Sweeney said she was waiting for clarity on the issue and would be putting her proposals to the committee at the next monthly meeting.
She said that Mayo VEC had always delivered value for money in all the activities it carried out and these achievements will be highlighted to the Department.
“The message from this meeting is that frontline learners will not be affected but to do that we require leadership and support from all the VEC. Mayo VEC always delivered a value for money service and learners will be looked after,” she said.