Minister Foley announces appointment of new Chief Executive of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announced the appointment of Jacqueline Ní Fhearghusa as the new CEO of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG).
Education is core to the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language and COGG’s role in providing advice to the Minister on policies relating to teaching through Irish and of Irish and its promotion in all schools is key to its success. The CEO has a pivotal role to play in leading and directing COGG’s activities and in providing strategic guidance.
Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jacqueline Ní Fhearghusa as the new CEO of COGG. The work of COGG is central to delivering on the education commitments contained in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language. The effectiveness and successful functioning of COGG depends greatly on the leadership provided by the Chief Executive.”
The Minister added:
“We want Irish speakers to feel empowered as active citizens and for others to feel confident enough to use Irish on a regular basis in everyday life, in the workplace, and in the community. COGG under Jacqueline’s leadership, has an important role to play in achieving this within the education sector.”
The Minister thanked the outgoing CEO Muireann Ni Mhóráin for her dedicated service to the Irish language over a long period of time, both within the Department’s Inspectorate and in her role as CEO of COGG. She wished Muireann a long, happy and fulfilled retirement.
ENDS
The Council for Gaeltacht and Irish Medium Education (COGG) was established under the provisions of Section 31 of the Education Act, 1998 with the following functions:
• To plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and resources for teaching through Irish; To advise the Minister in relation to the provision and promotion of education through the medium of Irish;
• To provide support services through the medium of Irish;
• To conduct research on matters relation to its responsibilities;
• To plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and resources for the teaching of Irish;
• To advise the Minister on strategies whose objective is to improve the effectiveness of the teaching of Irish;
• and
• To advise the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment about matters pertaining to the teaching of Irish, the provision of education through the medium of Irish and the educational needs of people living in Gaeltacht areas.
COGG operates under the aegis of the Department of Education and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is employed by the Department and seconded to COGG for the fixed term.
The CEO of COGG reports to the Chairperson and Board of COGG. The board has twelve members, representatives of schools, parents, the Department of Education and other agencies and organisations.
COGG has a full-time staff of nine. COGG also works with a large number of contract service providers on a continuous basis. The head office is in Dublin and there is a second office in Furbo, County Galway.
COGG has an allocated budget of €2.753M for 2021. COGG operates through the medium of Irish.