Fianna Fáil Deputy Barry Cowen says staff at the VEC offices in Tullamore still have not been informed of the details of the merger between Offaly and Laois VECs.
The merger is due to take place next Monday July 1st with staff still in the dark as to the exact details of the move.
Deputy Cowen commented: “Staff at the VEC offices in Tullamore have received no indication as to what will happen them next week. The merger of the two VECs is significant for all workers yet they incredibly remain in the dark.
“I am calling on the Minster for Education, Ruairí Quinn, to immediately deal with this and ensure that all VEC staff are given the full facts of the merger and its implications.
“There are also a lot of questions that remain to be answered about the existing VEC offices in Tullamore. The facility in Tullamore is only in existence for 5 years and cost €636,000 to fit out and costs €122,000 per annum to lease as part of a 20-year agreement. I am perplexed by the decisions to locate the merged VEC in smaller, less well equipped offices in Portlaoise.
“The whole point of amalgamating VECs was to save money but it is obvious in this instance that it will cost the state more. We need answers from Minister Quinn and we need them immediately.”
