Minister signals likelihood of cutbacks across education sector

THE PROSPECT of cutbacks in education appeared more likely last night after Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe said he would be working to achieve a more cost-effective service.

After outlining the gloomy economic backdrop, the Minister told vocational school managers that he would be working within the parameters set down by the Minister for Finance.

He wanted, he said, to maximise the return for taxpayers' money in investment in education.

"We must still ensure that efficiencies are achieved wherever possible and that we get optimal performance across the sector.''

The Minister told delegates at the annual conference of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA): "I must be realistic and the education sector must be realistic that the priority in the year ahead will be to take the right decisions, to ensure past improvements in services can be consolidated and improved upon."

The Minister also hinted at rationalisation across the vocational education sector. At present, there are 33 Vocational Education Committees, each with their own administration. He said there was no reason why payroll for at about 8,000 VEC teachers could not be handled by the Department of Education, which already manages pay for primary and secondary schools.

The Minister said the new State-run community national schools run by the Co Dublin VEC provide a distinctive new choice. The schools will be multifaith, he said, welcoming and respecting children of all faiths and none.

Mr O'Keeffe also revealed he would be bringing forward proposals to counter any restrictive enrolment policies by schools. This follows an audit of enrolment policies earlier this year.

The audit found some schools were reluctant to enrol children with special needs, foreign nationals or Travellers.

The IVEA president, Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Bohan, called on the Government to invest in education, training and youth support so that Ireland is ready for the next economic upturn.