Last year, Bord Snip recommended a cut in the number of VECs to 22 and Minister O'Keeffe indicated that he thought this was reasonable.

"We have to take a look at the way things are done at the ground level. It’s not just about numbers for me, I want to rationalise VECs and look at them in terms of delivery of education services," he said.

"I’ve been discussing this with the IVEA and the chief executives and I would be hoping to be able to bring proposals to Cabinet in the next month."

The VECs are responsible for 240 vocational and community colleges and also run further education colleges with more than 30,000 students. In addition they run Youthreach programmes for early school-leavers and adult education services.

The VECs also administer around two-thirds of third-level student grants, currently received by around 60,000 students, and are due to take over operation of the entire grants system under the Student Support Bill which has been awaiting movement in the Dáil for almost two years. (Source: Irish Examiner)