Press release
Minister Foley announces appointment of new Board of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta
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Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced the appointment of the new board of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG), which she has appointed for a 4-year term until 28 February 2026. The Minister has also extended the term of the Chair of COGG, Dónal Ó hAiniféin for an interim period to the end of 2022 to ensure continuity while the new CEO and Board settle into their roles.
Minister Foley said:
“I would like to congratulate the new Board members on their appointment and thank them for giving their time and expertise to the important work COGG has to do in relation to Irish language teaching and learning and the delivery of the government’s 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language. I would also like to thank Dónal Ó hAiniféin for agreeing to extend his term as Chair."
The Programme for Government sets out the aim of increasing the visibility of our native language and its daily use in the community and acknowledges the importance of the Irish language of the state, as a living language, and as a vital component of the heritage of this Island.
The roadmap for delivering this aim is set out in the Whole of Government 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 – 2030 and education is a core chapter of this strategy.
COGG’s role in providing advice to the Minister on policies relating to Irish language provision and its promotion in all schools is key to its success.
The Minister thanked the outgoing members of the COGG Board for their commitment and contribution over the last 3 years.
The new Board is as follows:
| Nominating Body | Name |
| Minster for Education | *Dónal Ó hAiniféin (Chairperson Designate) |
| Údarás na Gaeltachta | *Pádraig Mac Grianna |
| Údarás na Gaeltachta | Éanna Ó Cróinín |
| Gaeloideachas | Aodh MacCraith |
| Gaeloideachas | Nóra Ní Loingsigh |
| Foras Na Gaeilge | *Edel Ní Chorráin |
| Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) | Máirin Ní Chéileachair |
| Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) | Lorraine Finn |
| Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) | Gilbert de Búrca |
| National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) | *Elaine Ní Neachtain |
| Department of Education | *Peadar Ó Muirí |
| Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) | Eibhlín Nic Gearailt |
*re-appointment
The new COGG Board consists of 5 re-appointments (including the Chair) and 6 new appointments. The term of the Chair was extended by the Minister for 1 year to 31 December 2022.
Minister Foley announced the appointment of Jacqueline Ní Fhearghusa as the new Chief Executive of COGG in early March.
COGG was established under the Education Act 1998 and its functions are to:
COGG currently has a full time executive staff of 9, led by the Chief Executive.
COGG’s grant funding from the department in 2022 is in the amount of €2.84 million.
The website of COGG is available at www.cogg.ie.
The Board is responsible for directing COGG’s activities, providing strategic guidance to the executive team and monitoring the effectiveness of management.
There are no fees payable to members of the Council.
In accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, the Minister has taken account of gender balance when making these appointments to the Board, aligned with the government’s commitment to achieve a target of 40% representation of each gender on all State Boards.
The new board complies with the gender balance requirement.
The Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards specify that there are certain exemptions relating to the appointment of persons to state boards, including:
“Where an agreement or arrangement is in place under which Ministers seek nominations for appointment to State Boards from key stakeholder organisations (such as trade unions, employer organisations, farming representatives or voluntary bodies)”.