Donegal ETB calls on Government to tackle inequalities in education sector
Donegal TDs in attendance included Deputies Thomas Pringle, Padraig Mac Lochlainn and Charlie McConalogue
Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) is calling on the Government to commit to tackling inequalities in the education sector by supporting the priorities laid out in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign.
Representatives from Donegal ETB met with members of the Oireachtas at a briefing event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, last week where they expressed their concerns.
ABOVE: Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD; Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB and Chairperson of ETBI’s Chief Executive Forum with Councillor Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB.
The event marked the official launch of the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign and was organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the representative body of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide. The four priorities outlined in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign that ETBI and its members are calling for government support on include the Increase the number and profile of Community National Schools nationwide; anIncrease in the Deputy Principal allocation in ETB post-primary schools with DEIS designation.
They have also called for an Increase in funding for Further Education and Training (FET) so that funds reflect the proportion of learners, and ring-fence €600m in funding for the FET Colleges of the Future project, due to commence in 2028 and restore funding for youth work to pre-austerity levels and ensure pay parity for youth workers.
Launching the campaign at Buswells Hotel, last week, ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle told invited TDs: “The 16 ETBs across Ireland provide education and training opportunities for over 450,000 people. We do this through running primary and post-primary schools, and providing Further Education and Training opportunities, including apprenticeships. We are also heavily involved in youth work.”
ABOVE: Deputy Thomas Pringle also attended the event in Dublin
“TDs can also raise these issues at local and national levels of Government, and ensure these priorities are included in their party’s manifesto for the next General Election”, Mr Lavelle said.