Members of the Committee are appointed under the vocational education legislation. They include people with experience in local government, education, business, community work and the Irish language. Together they set direction, approve plans and hold the organisation to account.
What the Committee does
- Agrees the annual programme of education and training for the county.
- Approves budgets, staffing and major expenditure within the public funding framework.
- Monitors the quality and reach of schools, centres and support services.
- Ensures that statutory obligations are met, including equality, language, safety and data protection duties.
- Represents the interests of learners and communities in decisions about provision.
How meetings work
The full Committee meets through the year, supported by subcommittees that examine finance, education, audit and other areas in detail. Agendas and reports are prepared by the executive staff. Decisions are recorded in minutes, and members declare any interest that could affect their judgment.
Members do not manage day to day operations. Their role is strategic: to ask the right questions, set clear priorities and make sure that public money is used well.
Public accountability
The Committee is subject to freedom of information law, ethics legislation and public sector standards. Records are kept of decisions and expenditure. Where a matter concerns a learner or a member of staff, confidentiality and data protection rules apply.
Standing orders, codes of conduct and committee terms of reference are available on request from the administrative office. Requests can be made by phone or through the contact page.
Working with the executive
The Chief Executive Officer leads the staff and is accountable to the Committee for the delivery of agreed plans. Senior officers cover education, finance, personnel, adult learning and learner support. You can read about these roles on the staff page.