Donegal ETB elect Coyle as Chairperson and Browne to Deputy Chairperson role

Councillor Donal Coyle has been elected Chairperson of Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB), with Parents representative Geoffrey Browne elected Deputy Chairperson.

Twenty-one representatives have been appointed to the Board of the largest education and training provider in the county, which is made up of 12 elected representatives, two staff, two parents, two local industry and three sectoral interest representatives.

“It is a great privilege and honour for me to be elected Chairperson of Donegal ETB for another term,” Cllr Coyle said. “I hope this Board will work for all. The ETB has a huge responsibility in education in the County. They do it very well – there are lots of challenges, but the ETB is out there taking a lead.”

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The other elected representatives include Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Cllr Fionán Bradley, Cllr Albert Doherty, Cllr Terry Crossan, Cllr Brian Carr, Cllr Martin Farren, Cllr Martin Harley, Cllr Michael McBride, Cllr Declan Meehan, Cllr Pauric McGarvey and Cllr Tomás Seán Devine.

Staff representatives are Joanne Donaghy and Kyle Clarke, while the second parents’ representative is Lorraine Doherty.

The remaining five places have been filled by Lorraine Thompson (Donegal Youth Service) representing Youth Work Ireland, Patsy McVicar representing the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) / Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS), Stephen McCahill representing the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV), Dr Joanne Gallagher representing the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and Edel Ní Chorráin representing Foras na Gaeilge. The current Board will sit for the next five years.

Speaking about the appointments, Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh said: “I would like to congratulate Cllr Donal Coyle and Geoffrey Browne on their election as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Donegal ETB. It is wonderful to have two colleagues with such vast experience and knowledge of our organisation. We very much welcome all the appointments to our Board. Their contribution to the management of Donegal ETB’s work is central to our delivery of a quality, learner-centred education and training service. I look forward to working with all our Board members in the coming years.”

Donegal ETB is the largest education and training provider in the county, managing 15 out of the 27 post-primary schools and is a trustee partner for a further eight Community and Comprehensive schools. It is the largest provider of Further Education and Training (FET) and also manages Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre, the Donegal Music Education Partnership and has legal responsibilities for youth work. In 2023 over 35,000 students availed of education and training through Donegal ETB.