The introduction of the 16 education and training boards (ETBs) being set up in 2013 could help ease the impact of budget cuts to schools.

ETBs will replace the current 33 city and county vocational education committees (VECs) and are expected to provide support to any school that requests it, the Irish Examiner reports.

General secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association Michael Moriarty said: "It could be in the areas of IT or building services, there are many opportunities here and they won't threaten the independence or autonomy of schools in other sectors."

It is thought the purchasing power of the ETBs could help schools to save on running costs, which is likely to be welcomed following Education Minister Ruairi Quinn's announcement that capitation grants paid to schools are to be cut by six per cent.

Chairwoman of the Dail select education committee Joanna Tuffy claimed ETBs may be able to work with schools to bring better deals for uniform and school book rental scheme prices.

Written by Donal Walsh

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