Education Board to be in place by July

The new Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board is to come into effect from July 1, it was announced recently.

Acting Chief Executive of Co Longford VEC Rosemary Killian Johnston confirmed the decision at a meeting of the authority last week.

It’s envisaged further details as to how meetings involving the soon to be set up ETB will be thrashed out further when the two committees of both counties meet in Mullingar next month.

Representatives from Longford VEC will travel to Mullingar on June 10 next after an invitation was sent by Westmeath’s current VEC CEO, Rina McKenna.

“We don’t have anything official yet, but they (Department of Education) will be corresponding with us in the next week to 10 days,” said Ms Johnston, in connection to the Longford-Westmeath ETB.

She also confirmed progress had been made in the Department’s search for a new CEO to head up the board.

Welcomed by the majority of those watching on from the floor some members, most notably Cllr Sean Farrell greeted news of the Department’s public policy approach.

“The fact it is an open competition will mean it will be someone who actually goes out in search of the job,” he said, as he noted the “serious proficiency” education professionals had placed on a suitable candidate’s ability to speak Irish.