29 April 2015
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The newly formed Cork Education & Training Board (Cork ETB) welcomes the publication of The Special Report by the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) into the Internal Control of County Cork Vocational Education Committee in 2011.
A number of issues of concern were highlighted in this Report relating to the County Cork VEC. These legacy issues have and are being addressed by Cork ETB, since its foundation in 2013, to ensure these failings in control procedures and policy will not happen in the new organisation.
Cork ETB was formed as a result of the dissolution of Cork City VEC, Cork County VEC and Fás. It is a new organisation with a new structure, team and ethos. While County Cork VEC, which is the subject of this internal report, is no longer in existence, Cork ETB is now responsible for all assets, liabilities and legacy issues of County Cork VEC.
As Chief Executive of Cork ETB, I am committed to ensuring that the Cork ETB delivers education services to the highest standards to the people of the Cork Region and that these services are delivered in compliance with all legislation, procedures and processes.
Cork ETB is the most significant organisation for education and training in the Cork region, and we have a duty to our students, of all ages and levels of education from primary school to adult education, to deliver services to the highest of standards, complying with all regulations, guidelines and procedures. These processes are in place to ensure the efficiency and professionalism of the organisation, the safety of our staff and students and the optimal performance of the ETB as mandated by the Department of Education and Skills.