THE new chief executive of the amalgamated Limerick City, Clare and County Limerick Vocational Education Committees (VEC) will decide the location of its head office, it was revealed this week. County Limerick VEC chief executive Sean Bourke will preside over the new amalgamated committee when it comes into operation in 2014, and there has been speculation that he will choose to locate its head office in Dooradoyle.
In response to a parliamentary question he tabled to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, Limerick Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea was informed that Mr Bourke would be responsible for deciding on the location of the VEC headquarters.
The Limerick City Deputy commented: “I asked the Minister who would make the decision on the VEC headquarters and if it would be located in the city centre.
“In his reply, the Minister said that that in respect of the specific merger of City of Limerick VEC with Co Limerick VEC and Co Clare VEC, he has decided that the headquarters of the Education and Training Board will be in Limerick (greater city area).”
According to Minister Quinn, “it will be a matter for the CEO of the new Education and Training Board to work through and judge the best approach to ensure the optimum approach to service delivery”.
Deputy O’Dea concluded: “At least now we have clarity on who is making the decision. I am now calling on the CEO designate to decide on the location of the new headquarters as soon as possible.”
Members of Limerick City Council have previously voiced their support for retaining the current VEC office on Cecil Street following the amalgamation of the three committees.
Speaking at a recent City Council meeting, Cllr Kieran Hanlon stated that the VEC headquarters was “vital for businesses in the local community” and that many individuals who avail of the VEC’s services are “not in a position to pay for a taxi or bus out to Dooradoyle or indeed to Ennis”.