Second member of Breathnach's VEC committee walks out

A SECOND member of a top level committee appointed by the Minister for Education to rationalise vocational education committees (VECs) has walked out in protest at controversial recommendations for the abolition of 20 VECs.

The Association of Chief Executive Officers of VECs walked out of a meeting of the Commission on School Accommodation Needs yesterday, saying there was "no point horse trading over the number of VECs to be rationalised".

Its representative, Mr Seamus Reynolds, said the association believed there should be one intermediate tier in education, which would be responsive to local needs. "But the present proposal to establish regional education boards and retain many of the VECs would prove hugely expensive," he said.

The report prepared by a working group of the commission recommends a reduction in the number of VECs from 38 to 18, and a reduced role in the committees for politicians.

The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), which walked out of the commission last week, decided to step up its campaign of opposition to Ms Breathnach's proposed regional education boards, and to any rationalisation of their system.

An IVEA spokesman said they were studying "a range of options" to intensify their campaign. The organisation, which is fearful that changes could be introduced during the Dail's summer recess, is expected to start lobbying TDs' immediately.