Argue is new VEC chair

Cllr. Madeleine Argue of Fine Gael was unanimously elected as the new chairperson of County Cavan VEC last Wednesday. The newly elected chairperson said she looked forward to the challenges her new role will present along the way and dubbed her elevation to the position as a "great honour". Cllr. Argue vowed to carry out her functions in a fair and inclusive manner at all times over the next five years and drive forward the futuristic goals of County Cavan VEC. The meeting, which took place in the new VEC headquarters at Cockhill in Cavan town, also saw Shane P. O'Reilly of Fianna Fáil being elected to the position of vice chairman. He defeated Pauline McCauley of Sinn Féin in a secret ballot by 13 votes to four and there were two abstentions. Cllr. O'Reilly said it was a great honour for him to be elected to the position of vice chairman of the VEC and he would work with vision to achieve the objectives of the body. When the result of the secret ballot was announced, it prompted Cllr. Pauline McCauley to dish out a few caustic comments about the cosy cartel between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil being still alive and well. Cllr. McCauley added that she did not know whether the two parties had come together to keep a teacher out of the loop for chairperson, or whether the emphasis was to keep out Sinn Féin. She had called for the chair to be rotated and this proposal was seconded by Niall Lynch. Cllr. Sean McKiernan proposed that the new chairperson should remain in position for the full term of five years and this was seconded by Terry Argue. This proposal was carried in an overwhelming manner. Giving an overview of the goals and targets the VEC has on the agenda in these difficult times, the CEO Colm McEvoy said they need to go forward as a strong united committee. There are many positives as far as the entire implementation of the VEC system was concerned in the county, like the fact that Breifne College had breached the 600 enrolment barrier. Overall in the county, they have crashed through the 3,000 barrier and brings County Cavan VEC up into the top ten in Ireland in terms of enrolment and there are over 400 learners involved in adult education. Mr. McEvoy said that Cavan town had been identified as one of the key designated areas that the Department is looking at in terms of future school accomodation needs and Breifne College will be looked at in that context. He added that the new Kingscourt school is another VEC priority. It is the largest urban area in the county with no secondary school. "We want to get it moving - we brought it so far - I have had a number of meetings about it recently and we are trying to get it moving forward again." Mr. McEvoy said the big thing that is missing out at the Cavan Institute are sports facilities and this is something that will be actively on the agenda to be addressed. They are pushing hard with the Department to have the new extension built at Virginia College. A canteen is currently being constructed at St. Bricin's College in Belturbet and it will incorporate a dual purpose facility. The VEC annual sports day is also going ahead and John Kearney, principal in Breifne College is heading up the committee spearheading that initiative. It will feature a wide range of track and field events and the athletes of the future will be showcasing their talents at the magnificent all-weather track in Shercock. Mr. McEvoy also revealed that an adult education centre was being established in Cavan town and they also got funding through for the new adult education centre in Ballyjamesduff and it is ready to roll now. They would also like to see a school of music and drama being established. He also revealed that they have to produce an education plan running from 2011 to 2015 and work has already commenced on this matter. Mr. McEvoy will be visiting all the schools and centres to ascertain their input with a view to incorporating this in the overall plan. Amalgamation of VEC's Cllr. Sean McKiernan asked the CEO if he had any up to date information from the Department about their stated intentions to amalgamate VECs. The CEO Colm McEvoy informed Mr McKiernan that no more information had come through on that particular issue. "All we have been told is that it is happening." He added that he had been speaking to his colleagues last week and they were not aware when it would be implemented. County Cavan VEC had submitted a report in relation to the issue.