Vocational Education (Amendment) Act, 2001

Functions of vocational education committee.

9.—(1) Without prejudice to the operation of any other enactment by or under which functions are conferred on a vocational education committee, a vocational education committee shall—

(a) plan, coordinate and review the provision of education and services ancillary thereto in recognised schools and centres for education established or maintained by that committee,

(b) assess whether the manner in which it performs its functions is economical, efficient and effective,

(c) adopt and submit, in accordance with section 30 , an education plan,

(d) adopt and submit a service plan to the Minister in accordance with section 25 ,

(e) where it considers appropriate, make all reasonable efforts to consult, in relation to the performance by it of its functions, with—

(i) boards of management of schools established or maintained by that vocational education committee,

(ii) persons performing, in relation to centres of education established or maintained by that vocational education committee, functions the same as, or substantially the same as, those exercised by boards of management in relation to schools referred to in subparagraph (i),

(iii) students registered at such schools or centres for education,

(iv) parents of students who are so registered and who have not reached the age of 18 years,

(v) members of the staff of that vocational education committee, and

(vi) such other persons as it considers are likely to be affected as a result of the performance by it of its functions, or as it considers have a particular interest or experience in relation to the education or training provided in recognised schools or centres for education established or maintained by it,

and

(f) in the performance of its functions and in so far as is practicable, cooperate with other vocational education committees, schools and such persons providing services similar to or connected with those provided by the vocational education committee concerned in relation to the vocational education area of that committee as the vocational education committee considers appropriate.

(2) (a) A vocational education committee may, with the consent of the Minister, cause such one or more private companies to be formed and registered under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999, as it considers appropriate, to perform such of its functions, as it considers appropriate.

(b) A company formed and registered pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be wholly owned by the vocational education committee concerned.

(c) The memorandum and articles of association of a company formed and registered pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be in such form consistent with this Act as may be determined by the vocational education committee concerned with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.

(d) For the purposes of this subsection a company shall be wholly owned by a vocational education committee if it has no members other than that vocational education committee and its nominees.