Overview of County Dublin VEC
County Dublin VEC is one of the largest Vocational Education Committees in the country. The Committee is constituted under the Vocational Education Act, passed by Dáil and Seanad Eireann in 1930. At the inception of Vocational Education Committees, County Dublin was characterised as a rural region. However from the 1970s, acute demographic change in Dublin City and County led to increasing urbanisation in the form of new towns and suburbs in areas previously characterised as rural and agricultural. In response to this development, County Dublin VEC expanded rapidly to meet the demands and challenges of new populations. Furthermore, since the 1980s the evolving areas of Adult Education and Life Long Learning have presented new programmes and opportunities. The administrative area covered by the VEC reaches from Balbriggan in North County Dublin, to Dundrum in South County Dublin and Lucan in West County Dublin , it is unique in that it covers three Local Authority areas, Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Loaghaire / Rathdown County with the exception of the old borough of Dun Laoghaire .
All services directed to the population are delivered at local level. Our Administrative offices are located at 1 Tuansgate, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin 24
The Committee
County Dublin VEC is a statutory committee which operates under the governance of a Cathaoirleach and nineteen ordinary members. Members of the VEC include public/commercial/industrial representatives, staff, parent representatives and educational interests. County Dublin VEC is supported by a number of sub-committees.
Provision of Education & Services
County Dublin VEC is responsible for 22 schools/ community colleges which include 3 colleges of further education and 4 Gaeilcholaistí (which deliver post-primary education through the Irish language). It also runs 8 Youthreach Centres and 4 Senior Traveller Training Centres.
Adult and continuing education is also an important part of County Dublin VEC services. The County has 5 Adult Education Services providing day time and evening education and several of our 2nd level schools operate an evening Adult Education programme.
A Community Education Programme operates throughout the County, in partnership with local groups and agencies, to provide basic education and leisure courses that complement the formal education sector.
County Dublin VEC's Youth & Sport Development Service aims to provide a wide range of supports that enable the delivery and co-ordination of high quality educational, sporting, recreational and developmental programmes, projects and services to disadvantaged young people. This is done through partnerships with local communities, voluntary groups and voluntary youth organisations.
The services offered by County Dublin VEC have a positive impact on people and communities. These services range from mainstream education including Junior and Leaving Certificates to a broad spectrum of programmes including Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, Adult & Further Education, VTOS, BTEI, Youthreach & Senior Traveller Training Centres, Community Education, Adult Literacy programmes and Youth Service provision. In the context of social inclusion and lifelong learning, County Dublin VEC's target clients are:
- Students and/or their parents/guardians
- Adult learners
- Communities throughout the county
- Young people and volunteers
- Applicants and grant recipients under the various student support schemes administered directly by the VEC
- Voluntary and Sporting Organisations
Mission Statement
In the light of the mandate that has been given to County Dublin VEC, the following mission statement has been adopted:
"Our mission, in County Dublin VEC, is to be the leading provider of integrated education services which enable young people and adults to fulfill their potential in a positive learning environment.
We will promote equality, innovation and partnership in the delivery of our services."
