On Thursday, February 27th, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim was transformed into a hub of innovation and excitement as over 500 primary school students gathered for the highly anticipated STEMtacular, which powered by Analog Devices, saw several students from Roscommon winning top awards!

The event, a dynamic showcase of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, brought together schools from across Leitrim, Roscommon, Cavan, Longford, Sligo, Mayo, and Fermanagh.

Students from these regions presented their own STEM projects, tackling a wide range of intriguing questions. Each group was eager to explain their findings to a panel of esteemed judges from both industry and education, who engaged with the students, asking insightful questions and offering encouragement.

The event saw many winning students from Roscommon being awarded top prizes. The University of Limerick Best School award went to St Paul’s BNS (Castlerea, Co Roscommon). St Michael’s Special School (Castlerea, Roscommon) received AbbVie Special Class Awards, with award one going to the team of Thomas Adcock, James Burbridge, and Keelan Coyne, and award three going to the team of Rachel Moran, Vanessa Piko, and Mariah Mongan. The Engineers Ireland ‘Engineering’ Award went to Clonown NS (Roscommon) for their project, ‘How do aeroplanes fly?’. The Expleo ‘Best Communicator’ award went to Ciara O’Neill of Clonown NS (Roscommon).

The event culminated in an awards ceremony, where students were recognised for their hard work and creativity. St Paul’s Castlerea emerged as the overall winning school, earning an exciting prize – a trip to the University of Limerick’s Chemistry Department, where they will get to engage in some fun science experiments at one of Ireland’s top institutions.

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Senator Scahill criticised Bus Éireann’s proposed solution, which requires students to meet buses at roadside locations—often in hazardous or exposed spots like quarries. “Parents affected by this have come up with alternative solutions,” he noted, explaining that their plan would prevent buses from duplicating routes and ensure safer collection points.

The senator called for a system where parent associations can submit such proposals and have them reviewed promptly. “I’m asking can we look at solutions whereby parent associations can make cases like this and that they can be considered in a timely manner,” he said.

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“The Government has made lifelong learning a national priority” he stated, “and we welcome the pledge of €150m for the Further Education and Training sector, €235m for skills and apprenticeships, and the new programme for government commitment to unlock the NTF. However, ETBI would like to see this process expedited. The National Training Fund stands at a record surplus, yet our member ETBs continue to face constraints in infrastructure, digital capacity, and learner access. We are calling on the government to accelerate the unlocking of funds to ensure our Ireland’s workforce is not just prepared for the future but leading it.”

Investment in Infrastructure and Workforce Development

ETBI urged the Government to prioritise investment in the capital infrastructure of FET, ensuring that training centres, apprenticeships, and digital learning platforms reflect the needs of a modern workforce. This aligns with the National Development Plan, which highlights the necessity of sustained financial support to enhance FET’s role in upskilling and reskilling workers in key sectors such as technology, construction, and green energy.

“The demand for skilled workers has never been higher, and FET is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap,” Paddy Lavelle continued. “However, without investment in state-of-the-art facilities and digital innovation, we risk falling behind in meeting these demands.”

A Clear Call to Action

Welcoming Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD to the conference, ETBI reiterated the need for greater agility in releasing funds from the NTF to allow FET to expand, innovate, and deliver excellence. Paddy Lavelle stated: “Minister Lawless has been a strong advocate for workforce development and digital transformation, and ETBI is urging his leadership to ensure that FET receives the investment necessary to support both learners and industries across Ireland. The potential of Further Education and Training to transform lives and careers is clear. We are asking the Government to accelerate the unlocking of resources that have been accumulating in the National Training Fund and channel them directly into the FET sector.”

Addressing FET personnel from across Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards Minister Lawless said: “I am delighted that my Department has secured a €150 million investment from the National Training Fund over six years in innovative equipment and infrastructure for the FET sector, aimed at driving workforce transformation in key areas of our economy. It is an honour to be here today, and I look forward to working closely with the FET sector to deliver on government priorities and ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of learners and employers.

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Over 43,000 people watched the broadcast, which is equivalent to a full Aviva stadium or every cathedral in the country being packed.

The accomplished young participants are part of a youth group that regularly facilitate a monthly Youth Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon in line with the school term. They attend the Mercy College, the CBS, and Roscommon Community College in Roscommon town.

The hugely popular Youth Mass is a long-running initiative which commenced in November 2018. A theme is chosen for every Mass that is relevant to all our lives, but especially young people’s lives. The theme chosen for this Mass in RTE was ‘resilience’.

All participants put huge work, effort and practice into the Mass, as they always do.

Celebrant Fr Kevin Fallon acknowledged the huge input of Mass Coordinator, Marie Gillooly, and Musical Director, James Wallace in preparing for the Mass, in addition to acknowledging the invaluable help, support and assistance of the parents and guardians of these young people.

He said of the group: “I was blown away by the young people, and their talent, commitment, competence and presence in front of television cameras that beamed them to the nation.

“I travelled up with them on the bus on Sunday to RTE and they are a credit to their parents/guardians. They are wonderful ambassadors for our parish and county.”

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Over 40 Irish-language and Gaeltacht groups across the country will be on a half-day strike this Wednesday, 26th February as part of the R.A.I.C. (Solution Now, Fair Investment) campaign. The strike is being organised to call on both Governments north and south to reverse the latest cuts of €820,000 announced recently by Foras na Gaeilge by providing the appropriate funding to Foras na Gaeilge now and to urgently develop a long-term solution for Irish-language funding.

This decision followed a Crisis Assembly between community groups and lead organisations who are affected by the cuts on 12th February in Dublin. The RAIC campaign aims to resolve long-term disinvestment and lack of equality and funding in the Irish language sector and to call for the short-term and long-term emergency to be resolved.

Last September it was announced that the Synge Street CBS would become co-educational and a Gaelcholáiste from 2026. In the video below, a teacher from the school stated on RTE News that the school will remain an English school to maintain diversity. 

The latest cut comes at a time when the DUP is blocking a proposal to amend the funding structure of the Language Body. At present, 25% of Foras na Gaeilge’s budget comes from the government in the north and 75% from the government in the south and neither government can put additional money towards the Foras budget without the equivalent from the other government. Recently, a new arrangement was agreed between the two Ministers of Finance, through the north-south Ministerial Council, which would allow either government to put additional money towards the budget of An Foras Teanga without the equivalent of the other government. The NI Executive must agree to this new amendment, but the DUP has blocked this proposal from going on the Executive’s agenda more than 5 times since November. Therefore, the DUP is vetoing additional funding for the Irish language on a 32 county basis at a time when the Irish Government has said that they have extra money ready to go immediately to Foras na Gaeilge.

Among the demands of the campaign, the groups are seeking:

• Immediate adoption by both Governments of the new funding model for Foras na Gaeilge as proposed by both Finance Departments and the North South Ministerial Council (September 2024);

• A commitment from Foras na Gaeilge that a reversal of the €820,000 for grantees would be the first priority in any additional funding received from Governments;

• To provide Foras na Gaeilge with at least the additional €20m as laid out in the Growth Plan, an investment plan for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht agreed between 130 groups, and;

• A commitment from Foras na Gaeilge to fund the projects/grantees mentioned in the Growth Plan as a priority for any additional funding received from both Governments or one Government.

Speaking ahead of the strike, President of Conradh na Gaeilge Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin said: “It is a matter of regret that we must take strike action today but this decision was taken because we had no other choice. The latest cuts announced by Foras na Gaeilge are disastrous and affect groups who are already under severe funding pressure. Today’s strike is a testament to the frustration and anger, not just at the latest curtailment, but the long-term disinvestment in Irish language funding. For context, Foras na Gaeilge’s budget has been reduced by 45 % in real time over a 20 year period, at a time when there is a real interest in the Irish language among the community but we are now hindered from attending to that goodwill.”

“Community groups across the country are struggling to heat and light their buildings, let alone provide basic services and implement work plans. The fact that this is  happening over 25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement which promised a new era of equality for the language is hugely concerning. It is clear that we have a huge problem and that the new cross-border agency, which is responsible for the proper funding of the promotion of the Irish language, has been completely failed by both governments in the last 20 years. There is an urgent need for a satisfactory, long-term solution and I urge both governments to come to an immediate settlement.

Caoimhe Ní Shúilleabháin, Irish Language Development Officer with Cill Dara le Gaeilge said: “The Irish-language and Gaeltacht community will, for the first time ever, be on strike this Wednesday, to take a united stance against cuts to Irish-language funding. It is scandalous that groups, from all over the country, feel the need to take strike action to push this issue forward with both Governments.

All the groups are under enormous pressure. We all came together two weeks ago in Dublin and we were united in the fact that there is now a funding crisis in the community, and that the funding structure north and south behind Foras na Gaeilge is completely broken. It calls on both Governments to fix that funding structure, or to find another way to urgently push the additional funding currently available from the Government in the south to the groups on the ground. I have no doubt that we are stronger as a community as we stand in solidarity together on urgent issues like this. I pay tribute to all the groups standing up for equality today.”

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Roscommon has reached a significant milestone in its education and training provision, with the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) unveiling a state-of-the-art hairdressing training salon at its Further Education and Training (FET) Centre on Lanesboro Street in Roscommon Town.

The facility, which was officially launched on Tuesday, January 21st, has already begun hosting the county’s first ever hairdressing apprenticeship programme.

The launch was attended by GRETB senior management, staff, board members, community leaders, and members of the local hairdressing industry. Cllr Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher cut the ceremonial tape.

GRETB’s Director of Further Education and Training (FET), Sinéad Morgan, stated that this initiative not only showcases the board’s dedication to enhancing vocational training but also brings vital opportunities to aspiring hairdressers in Roscommon.

In acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the training salon, Sinéad Morgan extended sincere appreciation to former GRETB board member and former councillor, Kathleen Shanagher, for her support and commitment to GRETB and in particular to Education and Training in the Roscommon region.

The salon boasts cutting-edge equipment, modern styling stations and an array of top-quality hair products. The state-of-the-art facility mirrors the ambience and functionality of a professional salon.

Industry expert Elizabeth Flynn has been appointed as the tutor for the Hairdressing Apprenticeship Programme, with support from GRETB Apprenticeship Coordinator Maeve Parker. The programme welcomed its first cohort of apprentices in November 2024.

GRETB will run both the hairdressing apprenticeship as well as a range of part-time and community-based hairdressing courses, with plans for barbering courses beginning later in the year.

If you are interested in finding out more about pursuing a career in hairdressing or if you are an employer wishing to employ an apprentice, please contact nharoscommon@gretb.ie.

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(L-R) Director of Schools Sinead Farragher, Lisa Tannian St Brigid’s College Loughrea and Joanne Cleary IMBVE teacher

The symposium, attended by 200 delegates, delved into the patrons’ curricula for ETB schools, including “Goodness Me Goodness You!” and “Identity, Multi-Belief and Values Education (IMBVE).” Dr. Anne Marie Kavanagh from DCU delivered a keynote on the importance of valuing students’ identities and backgrounds through the curriculum. Participants also engaged in workshops on anti-racism, classroom conflict, and traveller education.

Anne Marie Kavanagh (PhD) is Assistant Professor in Ethical and Intercultural Education in the School of Human Development, DCU Institute of Education. She teaches and researches in the areas of ethical education, social justice education, intercultural education, climate justice education and human rights education. 

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The Credit Union Schools Quiz 2025 was held in Kilbride Community Centre on Sunday, February 9^th. It was a resounding success, showcasing the brightest young minds from local schools in a fun and competitive environment. The event saw a wide range of talented students compete in a series of challenging rounds that tested their knowledge across a variety of subjects.

The quiz, which has become a staple in the Credit Union’s calendar, brought together teams from 24 schools, comprising 168 children from the Roscommon community, all eager to demonstrate their academic prowess and represent their schools with pride. The atmosphere in the Kilbride Community Centre was electric, as participants faced off in an exciting blend of questions that covered everything from geography and history to current affairs and science and ended up with three nail-biting tiebreakers.

“We are thrilled with the outcome of this year’s Credit Union Schools Quiz,” said Bernie Moran (CEO of Roscommon Credit Union). “The enthusiasm, energy, and talent displayed by the students was nothing short of inspiring. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the importance of education through fun, community spirit and with the Credit Union at the heart of it.”

Winners from the event will now move forward to the regional stages of the quiz, where they will represent Roscommon Credit Union with pride as they go forward to the Regional Chapter stages which will be held in Moate Community Hall on Friday, March 7th, at 7.30 pm.

“We congratulate all the children for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the Quiz. Every team showed incredible teamwork and focus, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these young people,” added John Devaney (Chairman of Roscommon Credit Union).

Roscommon Credit Union would like to extend a special thank you to the teachers and parents who worked tirelessly to prepare the children for the quiz.  They would also like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of Kilbride Community Centre, who ensured the hall was perfectly prepared and looked after parents, teachers, and participants with refreshments throughout the day.

Roscommon Credit Union also want to express their gratitude to their own directors, who were on hand to assist throughout the event. A big thank you to Quiz Master Anne Murphy, whose guidance made the quiz run effortlessly, and to Adjudicator, Maura Quigley. Also, the team of stewards on the day – John Devaney, Eoin Buckley, Anthony Lee, and Alec Dempsey, assisted by Katie Nugent – who all played a key role in making sure the event flowed efficiently.

A huge thanks also goes to all staff members who helped manage the event with precision. Deirdre, Serena, and Mags did an excellent job on the scoreboards, while Catherine, Agnes, Valerie, Kelly, Mary, and Lorna were pivotal in handling correcting. Finally, a very special thank you to Lynda, who began planning the Schools Quiz over two months ago and took it from start to the final details on the day and to Emma for assisting in liaising with the schools. All the hard work and dedication from everyone helped make the event a fantastic success.

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The eighth annual Early Childhood Ireland Barometer – based on a national opinion poll conducted by RED C – also reveals overwhelming support for access to high-quality Early Years and School Age Care for all children in their communities.

This year’s Barometer reports that in Connaught:

• 71% of the public agrees that every child should be guaranteed access to high-quality, inclusive Early Years and School Age Care in their community.
• 61% believe that the education of children under five is as important as that of older children.
• 71% support the free provision of Early Years education for all children.

Overwhelming public support for Early Years

Speaking about the Barometer results, Frances Byrne, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, said, “The perception of Early Years and School Age Care has shifted significantly during our eight years of polling. While it was once viewed primarily as a support for working parents, most of the public now understands its crucial role in children’s development, as this year’s Barometer results demonstrate.”

The Barometer 2025 shows overwhelming public support (71%) in Connaught for access to high-quality Early Years and School Age Care for all children, with a matching percentage in favour of free Early Years education.

Commenting on this, Ms Byrne said, “We welcome this recognition from the public, and while the government has promised to take significant steps to improve affordability for parents, more needs to be done to address enduring issues in Connaught, including the recruitment and retention of staff, and waiting lists.”

“With thousands of children awaiting crèche places across the country, it’s clear we are nowhere near delivering the access that over two-thirds of people in Connaught believe every child should have,” she added, “So the government needs to do more than just reduce fees. Major progress in capacity planning at local and national levels is essential.”

Improved family leave

The 2025 Barometer also highlights strong support for parents to receive financial assistance to stay at home with their child for the first 12 months, with 65% of the Irish public in favour, up 3% from last year’s Barometer.

“Research shows benefits for children’s development from having a parent at home in the first year of life, and we have been calling for the government to guarantee 66% of a parent or guardian’s income, in line with European Commission recommendations, to ensure that parents can afford to stay at home during this critical period,” she continued.

Terms and conditions for educators

The poll also shows that over half of Irish adults agree that staff in crèches who have university degrees should have the same terms and conditions as teachers in primary schools.

“Guaranteeing parity of pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates would not only offer educators in Connaught deserved recognition but also address the critical staffing shortage we are experiencing in Ireland. Without parity of pay and conditions, we will continue to lose talented Early Years and School Age Care graduates to other sectors”, Ms Byrne added.

“Early Childhood Ireland’s 8^th annual Barometer was undertaken as new reports from the OECD and the European Commission show the legacy of underinvestment here in Ireland, despite recent progress. Addressing affordability is not enough, as we have underlying problems which impact settings in Connaught every day. To strengthen their sustainability and to underpin the Early Years and School Age Care system, as it moves towards a publicly funded model, the new government needs to address funding and staffing issues urgently. Every child in every community should have access to high-quality provision and only political leadership will get Ireland there,” Ms Byrne concluded

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“The Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme does not cover the medical costs of Individuals who availed of the Scheme. The department has not paid any compensation to individuals who availed of the Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme from 2022-2024, as the department is not the employer.”

A survey conducted by the INTO, Primary Teachers’ Exposure to Physical Aggression. (May, 2024) revealed that the increase in physical attacks on teachers in primary schools is a cause for great concern.

“The frightening reality is that our schools have become the de facto mental health and therapeutic service providers for children, a role for which they are neither designed, equipped nor funded”.

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