Tullamore loses out in VEC HQ war

Over 16 years - or almost €2.5m in rent - remains on the VEC building's lease in Tullamore, despite Portlaoise being announced as the location for the new headquarters of a combined Laois-Offaly VEC this week. "I can't see we can get out of that lease," Chairperson of Offaly VEC Eamonn Dooley said this week, reacting to the news that operations are to wind up in the Tullamore office. "Someone's going to have to pay this man's rent." Disappointment has been expressed by various personnel regarding the decision announced this week to locate the new headquarters, and Offaly VEC's 14 staff, in Portlaoise rather than Tullamore. Cllr Dooley said that while he didn't have a problem with the merger, he believed the state of the art VEC facilities in Tullamore far outshone those in Portlaoise. "Their accommodation is really substandard," he said. Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen said this week that he was "struggling to make sense of the decision". "The VEC in Tullamore is a new, purpose built facility with exceptional services for staff and students alike," he said. "This decision comes shortly after the Government's moves to cut funding for the N6 to Tullamore link road. It also comes at a time when fears are mounting over the potential sale of Bord na Móna and Coillte and how the Government's privatisation plans will impact on jobs in the region. As a result of all of this, people are now genuinely worried about the Government's attitude towards what is such a vital town in this region. Cllr Dooley said he believes the amalgamation will begin "almost immediately", with the move completed by early next year. While he said he isn't concerned about losing VEC services, as they have to provided regardless of where from, he added that they will cost more to provide from Portlaoise. He also questioned the logic of the move as a way for the government to save €3m, taking rent and the cost of moving staff around into account. "It doesn't make economic sense," he said. He also questioned the cost of refurbishing offices in Portlaoise. Chair of Tullamore Town Council and member of Offaly VEC Sinead Dooley added her concerns about the move this week, describing it as "hugely disappointing" and a "political decision". She said the VEC building in Tullamore is one of only three in the country with a wireless network in place to cater for the most hi-spec IT.