Minister to address ETBI conference in Slieve Russell

Minister for Education Helen McEntee will address the Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) Annual Congress when it takes place at Cavan's Slieve Russell Hotel tomorrow (Thursday), October 9.

Co-hosted by Cavan and Monaghan ETB, the event will bring together more than 200 delegates from across the country, representing Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

The annual congress, which offers a unique opportunity for ETB leaders, policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to engage with key issues that shape the future of education and training in Ireland, begins with a formal welcome by Dr Fiona McGrath, Chief Executive of Cavan and Monaghan ETB.

She will be joined in welcoming delegates alongside Cllr Roger Kennedy and ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle, before the morning agenda, which includes a high-level panel discussion on 'Strengthening Governance and Managing Growth', gets underway.

Later in the morning delegates will take part in parallel breakout sessions focusing on specific areas of interest and challenges faced by ETB school boards of management.

Contributors to these sessions include sector leaders such as Cavan-Monaghan ETB Director of Schools Paddy Flood, who'll take part in a discussion specifically on promoting the Irish language within the ETB sector.

After lunch, Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, will deliver a keynote address, highlighting the government's priorities for the sector. This will be followed by the National Convention on Education - a wide-ranging discussion on the future direction of education in Ireland, chaired by Dr Deirdre Keyes and featuring speakers such as David Stanton, Elaine Prior, and Donal O’Sullivan.

The relationship between ETBs and enterprise will also be explored during another dedicated panel session featuring Mary Lyons; Ballyhaise born entrepreneur, Seán Gallagher; Noel Mooney, Manager Supply Chain, Logistics and Procurement with Cavan & Monaghan ETB, and others. This discussion will highlight how ETBs can continue to respond to the evolving needs of industry and support regional economic development.

The day then will conclude with a keynote address by renowned psychotherapist and author Dr Richard Hogan. His session, 'Resilience in a Changing World', will reflect on mental health, leadership, and adaptability in times of change, especially in a post-Covid environment.

ETBI represents Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards, which together educate over 117,000 students in primary and post-primary schools and provide Further Education and Training (FET) to more than 226,000 learners annually. With over 500 learning locations, 32,000 staff, and a combined budget exceeding €2bn, ETBs are central to Ireland’s education landscape.

The Congress will close with a musical performance from Music Generation Cavan and Monaghan, followed by a formal banquet.