Donegal ETB hears views on upcoming Convention on Education at ETBI Congress 2025

The Minister for Education, renowned psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan and Chief Executive of Donegal ETB Anne McHugh addressed the annual congress of Education & Training Boards Ireland (ETBI).

The congress took place on Thursday, October 9 in Cavan, and discussed key sectoral challenges in advance of the recently announced national Convention on Education.

Over 200 delegates from across Ireland’s education and training boards (ETBs) attended, including Donegal ETB.

The first sectoral address was made by Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee. She said: “I am delighted to attend my first ETBI Conference and to meet so many people committed to advancing greater equity in education. This week, I was pleased to announce €2 million in funding for the Convention on Education, which will provide a unique opportunity for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help shape the future of our education system.”

Chief Executive of Donegal ETB, Anne McHugh, who is also Chairperson of the ETB Chief Executive Forum, provided the official welcome and vote of thanks to the Minister, on behalf of the Sector.

Chief Executive of Donegal ETB Anne McHugh presents bouquet to Minister Helen McEntee at ETBI Annual Congress 2025 held in Cavan

Renowned psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan also addressed delegates, calling for a blanket ban of smartphones across schools. He said: “I strongly believe - and this is backed up data and research - that smartphones are contributing to the silencing of adolescence. We are witnessing the death of small talk among our young people, and the accompanying social skills they need to thrive.”

Speakers and panellists also discussed other areas they feel the convention needs to address, including special education, curriculum reform and the need for multi-denominational education. Over the day, the congress also addressed key topics including growing the Irish language, strengthening partnerships with local and regional employers, and managing growth and governance.

Speaking in advance of the congress, General Secretary of ETBI, Paddy Lavelle, said: “Education and Training Boards are Ireland’s leading state provider of education, training and youth services, and our role in the delivery of education in Ireland is quickly growing and developing. ETBs are now key state providers of Community Special Schools and have a potential role in the delivery of nationwide early education services. ETBs will also play a key role in the growth of further education and training (FET) across the state and the implementation of a new FET strategy.

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“This period of growth requires strong management and robust governance structures - and it’s vital that we support ETBs to establish these structures to help them continue to deliver excellent education provision for thousands of people across the country. Our congress addresses innovative approaches and collaborative ways to managing this growth. While the increases in funding for school capitation rates, additional apprenticeships and youth services announced in the Budget are all extremely welcome by the sector, we are still operating in a challenging environment where rising costs and resource pressures
continue to impact the delivery of quality education and training.”