Donegal ETB and Údarás na Gaeltachta Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) and Údarás na Gaeltachta have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a relationship whereby the two parties recognise each other as partner organisations which will be of benefit to both organisations and to County Donegal and the North-West region.

It builds upon a history of collaboration and an established partnership between the two organisations which has been beneficial to both and is consistent with Government policy in respect of regional development and the promotion and preservation of the Irish language.

Donegal ETB has recently launched its 2022-2026 Strategy Statement Transforming Learning – Changing Lives with one of its three themes being that of working with partners.

Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB is delighted to sign the MoU with Údarás na Gaeltachta, stating:
“Donegal ETB places great value on its work with Údarás na Gaeltachta because both organisations can see the benefits of collaboration for our county. Both organisations have worked well together in a number of collaborative areas in the past and we look forward to building upon the achievements to date and to further strengthening the bonds in the years to come.”

Údarás na Gaeltachta Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 takes a theme-based approach which is central to the approach taken by An tÚdarás in supporting vibrant communities to create their own identity.
Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, welcomed the signing of the MoU with Donegal ETB stating:
“We are pleased to sign this memorandum of understanding between our organisation and Donegal ETB, the agreement will solidify our well established and strong working relationship. This MoU will benefit the Gaeltacht and the county as a whole. Both organisations are committed to ensuring that the training and education needs of people in the Donegal Gaeltacht are pursued in order to provide them with the necessary skills to gain employment in the region. We are also collaborating on the provision of programmes to assist in the development of the country’s resources.”

The aims of the partnership are consistent with the strategic plans and strategic statements of both organisations. These include working together to provide opportunities for training and education through the gteic network and the network of Donegal ETB FET Centres; promoting and supporting economic development and job creation by working with stakeholders to address their education and training needs; working collaboratively to promote the use of the Irish language and sharing resources and information which will benefit the communities they serve by improving service provision.

It also includes working collaboratively on projects of mutual interest which will benefit the community in Donegal; promoting and facilitating opportunities for community education at local level; encouraging and empowering communities and individuals and providing them with the knowledge and skills to benefit from the county’s natural resources, such as the green, cultural, blue and digital economies and working with Gaeltacht companies to ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills to sustain and grow and working together to provide the Gaeltacht community with apprenticeships.

A Strategic Planning Group will be established and will meet quarterly to discuss the operation and strategic development of the partnership over the next five years.