Athenry secures base for amalgamated VECs

By JACQUELINE HOGGE ATHENRY has been confirmed as the new administrative headquarters for the soon to be amalgamated VECs of Galway city and county along with Roscommon VEC. [private] Local senator Lorraine Higgins received confirmation of the decision from Education Minister Ruairí Quinn in recent days. It is understood a number of factors, including the fact the VEC owns the building in Athenry where the County Galway VEC is currently based, along with ease of access through the nearby M6 motorway, were among the reasons for the decision. 'This was an issue that I raised with Minister Quinn as far back as last July when I argued strongly for Athenry's case to become the new Headquarters,' said Senator Higgins. 'This is wonderful news for Athenry and it will a great boost to the local economy at a time when sustaining and creating jobs is the number one priority,' said Senator Higgins. 'On learning of the Government's merger proposals last July, I was the first to request an early meeting with Minister Quinn to make the case for Athenry and I'm delighted to say that my efforts in this matter have now borne fruit.' Co Galway VEC Chairman Pat Gilmore welcomed the announcement but urged that some level of service be maintained at local level in both the city and in the Roscommon region. 'This is a very welcome development as it was always the stated position of Galway County VEC that Athenry be retained as the administrative headquarters of what will become the new Education Training Board for the Galway-Roscommon region,' he said. 'I think however it is very important that the Minister retains some level of service in both the city and Roscommon in the form of outreach centres or offices to enhance the services available at local level.' Meanwhile, Co Galway VEC has received a windfall of €23,600 from a dividend paid to VECs and local authorities throughout the country from the Irish Public Bodies Mutual insurance company. Galway Co Council also received a payment of almost €270,000 with Galway City Council and the City VECs also benefiting from the dividend payment. Cllr Jarlath McDonagh, the county council's representative on Irish Public Bodies, said the money would be 'of major benefit to the four organisations in these difficult and recessionary times.' [/private]