ETB amalgamation savings
Senator Wilson called for the Education Minister to report on savings and staffing outcomes from the VEC-to-ETB amalgamation, comparing administration growth in education to HSE problems. He said the House needed an update on whether promised efficiencies and facilities had materialised.
I am looking forward to our discussion on the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill after the Order of Business today. The sixth anniversary of the amalgamation of 33 vocational education committees, VECs, into 16 education and training boards, ETBs, will be on 1 July this year. We were told at the time of that amalgamation by then Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, that this would save more than €2 million annually. I would like the Minister for Education and Skills to come into this House at an early date and, approaching the sixth anniversary of the amalgamation, outline to us exactly what savings have been made.
I am conscious that these education and training boards are doing an excellent job in providing education, training and apprenticeship training throughout the length and breadth of the Twenty-six Counties. However, it appears that an emphasis on appointing directors to particular areas seems to be creeping in.
I am very proud to be an employee of the Cavan-Monaghan ETB, albeit I have been on a leave of absence for the past six years or so, but I am aware that we could be creeping towards the establishment of another HSE. The emphasis appears to be on the appointment of directors, deputy directors and heads where there were never any before and where there was never a need for them. Cavan VEC had seven people and a chief executive officer who administered the entire scheme. A multiple of that number of people now administer the scheme. The emphasis should be on teachers, pupils, schools, services and facilities, not on administration.
Comment on this
That is the point I am making and why I want the Minister for Education and Skills to come into the House.
We are all aware of the mistakes made by the HSE. All this week, my colleagues have been referring to the nurses. The emphasis on health should be on doctors, nurses, beds, facilities and hospitals, not administration.
Comment on this
I do not want to see this happening in the education and training sector. It is time we received an update from the Minister on the savings that have been made and the progress that has been made in providing facilities and staff.