Cllr Albert Doherty has been elected Chairperson of Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB).
His Sinn Féin party colleague Cllr Gary Doherty was elected Deputy Chairperson.
Donegal ETB is the largest education and training provider in the county. Along with its extensive Further Education and Training (FET) Service, it manages fifteen out of the twenty-seven post-primary schools in Co Donegal and is a trustee partner for a further eight Community and Comprehensive schools.
The ETB also provides outdoor education and training at its centre at Gartan, along with music education and has legal responsibilities for youth work.
The Board of Donegal ETB is made up of twelve elected representatives, two staff, two parents, two local industry and three sectoral interest representatives.
Speaking about his election as Chairperson, Cllr Doherty said, “I am delighted to be elected to this important role with Donegal ETB. As the largest education and training provider in the county, it reaches into every community across the county and its islands. COVID-19 and Brexit present us with a number of challenges and the ETB has a critical role ahead in this regard. I look forward to supporting the staff with this important work.”
The other elected representatives include Cllr Rena Donaghey, Cllr Ian McGarvey, Cllr Barry Sweeney, Cllr Martin Farren, Cllr Martin Harley, Cllr Donal Coyle, Cllr Michael McBride, Cllr Noreen McGarvey, Cllr Noel Jordan and Cllr John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh.
Staff representatives are Ms Joanne Donaghy and the recently deceased Mr Noel Rodden, while parents’ representatives are Mr Geoffrey Browne and Ms Lorraine Doherty.
The remaining five representatives are Ms Lorraine Thompson (Donegal Youth Service) representing Youth Work Ireland, Patsy McVicar representing the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), Regina Grant representing the Disability Federation of Ireland and industry representatives Brian McDermott (Foyle Hotel) representing the Irish Hospitality Institute and Gerard Grant (Pramerica) representing IBEC.
Speaking about the appointments, Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh said, “I would like to congratulate Cllr Albert Doherty and Cllr Gary Doherty on their election as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Donegal ETB. I look forward to working with them in the coming year on the delivery of a quality, learner-centred education and training service for all our communities across the county and its islands.”
The Board’s meeting on 7th December was also the last one for Donegal ETB’s Director of Organisation Support and Development (OSD), Jim McGlynn, after almost forty-three years of service. Mr McGlynn has worked closely with thirty Chairpersons in that time and with the Audit and Risk Committee and Finance Committee, both made up of ETB members and external members appointed by the Board.
