Previously signed in 2016, this formal MoU builds upon a long history of collaboration and an
established partnership between the two institutions.
The resigning of the Memorandum of Understanding by Paul Hannigan, President LYIT and Anne McHugh, Chief Executive Donegal ETB, will greatly benefit the North West region with both organisations continuing to build on collaborations.
The overall objective is to provide for enhanced progression opportunities and pathways for learners consistent with the National Further Education and Training Strategy, 2020-2024.
New progression routes and pathways have been developed over the past 5 years that provide opportunities for those living and working in the region and facilitates more seamless progression routes between programmes provided by Donegal ETB and LYIT and has identified gaps in provision and opportunities for new programmes linked to recognised national and regional skills needs.
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That was just one of many questions Anne McHugh was struggling to answer as she drove home from Dublin on Thursday, March 12.
Ms McHugh, Chief Executive, Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) had been at a meeting in the Department of Education when the Government announced it was shutting schools with immediate effect to delay the spread of coronavirus.
Initially, the lockdown was to last for just two weeks but laptops and iPads would replace books for the remainder of the academic year as pupils and teachers embraced a new way of life in schools.
Schools did reopen their doors in September but many are now using gymnasiums for classes, while screens, hand sanitising stations and clear signage to ensure social distancing is the new norm.
The Donegal Education and Training Board saw its highest ever students numbers in 2019, with over 29,000 students attending its schools, Further Education and Training Service, Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre and Donegal Music Education Partnership.
The ETB has published its 2019 Annual Report today, outlining the vast range of services and activities it delivered.
Fifteen out of the twenty-seven post-primary schools in Donegal are directly managed by Donegal ETB which 5,432 students attended in 2019.
The ETB is also a trustee partner for a further eight Community and Comprehensive schools in the county.
Its extensive range of Further Education and Training courses supported 11,986 students across a wide range of education and training options throughout the year.
Updated / Tuesday, 15 Dec 2020
17:13
Tara Sweeney spent most of the money on high-end handbags and clothing (Pic: North West Newspix)
A woman who stole €760,000 from her employer, the Donegal Education Centre, and spent most of it on high-end handbags and clothing has been jailed for two years.
Tara Sweeney, 47, with an address at The Glebe, Donegal Town, had pleaded guilty to 20 sample charges of theft at the centre over a six-year period.
Sentencing her at Letterkenny courthouse today, Judge John Aylmer said Ms Sweeney s crimes were systematic and premeditated .
Ms Sweeney was an accounts administrator at the centre in Donegal Town from 2009 until 2015 and had access to numerous bank accounts.
Woman who blew €760k stolen from work on designer clothes and bags is jailed
The court heard that many of the luxury items, many with high-end labels including Prada and Gucci, were never even taken out of their packaging.
Tara Sweeney was an accounts administrator at the Donegal Education Centre from 2009 until 2015 and had access to numerous bank accounts. Picture: North West Newspix
Tue, 15 Dec, 2020 - 15:04
Stephen Maguire
A woman who stole €760,000 from an education authority and spent it on expensive handbags and clothing has been jailed for two years.
Judge John Aylmer said Tara Sweeney s crimes were systematic and premeditated after she stole the money from her employer, the Donegal Education Centre.