Laois Offaly Education and Training Board replaces Offaly and Laois VECs

Today marks the beginning of the newly formed Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), which replaces the separate Laois and Offaly VECs.

Speaking about the change, which sees 33 VECs nationwide replaced with 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said it marks a new era.

The major countrywide reform reduces the number of CEOs and full year savings have been estimated at €2.1m. Locally questions have been asked about what savings can be achieved with a merger however.

“The new ETBs will strengthen locally managed education and enhance the scale of local education and training,” Minister Quinn insists.

“This represents a major component of the public service transformation agenda. At a time when the need for training and reskilling has never been more important, it is crucial to provide appropriate programmes and courses that offer sutdents and learners the best opportunities to progress. We must do all of this while providing value for money to the taxpayer.”

The new configuration paves the way for new provisions that will provide for the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FAS and the transfer of training functions to the newly formed ETBs. It is envisaged that SOLAS will be formally established before the end of this year.