COGG

An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta was founded under the provisions of Article 31 of the Education Act of 1998 following a campaign led by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Gaelscoileanna & Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta to establish a structure to cater for the educational needs of Gaeltacht schools and of Gaelscoileanna. There are functions also in Article 31 relating to the teaching of Irish in the country’s other schools.

The Comhairle’s role relates to both primary and post-primary education and the three main areas of work are:

The provision of teaching resources
The provision of support services
Research

The Comhairle members – parents, teachers and other experts – were appointed in March 2002. The Chief Executive was appointed in October 2002, an Administration Executive in April 2003 and a Researach Assistant in 2005. Other jobs were advertised a couple of times since but they were not allowed to be filled. The 2^nd board was appointed in 2006 and the 3^rd in 2010.

Dónal Ó hAiniféin – Chairperson
Muireann Ní Mhóráin – Chief Executive

Our Mission Statement

To fulfill effectively, professionally and at a high standard the responsibilities of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta for the development of the Gaeltacht and Irish medium sector and the teaching of Irish in all schools.

The Team

Muireann Ní Mhóráin
Appointed Chief Executive of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta in 2002. She spent many years as a post-primary teacher of Irish and learning support and was involved in curriculum development during those years. She is a re-assigned post-primary schools’ inspector.

Aisling Nic Craith
Aisling was appointed Higher Executive Officer in January 2018. She spent over five years working in the Finance Department of Foras na Gaeilge. Prior to that, she worked as Executive Officer with COGG from 2003 – 2012. She secured an MSc degree in Business and Information Technology in Dublin City University. Aisling spent eight years working in the tourism sector after spending years abroad.

Pól Ó Cainín
Appointed Research and Publications Assistant in 2005, having previously spent 6 years as Research Assistant in Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann. Having been awarded a doctoral degree by the University of Ulster in 2005, he was a member of the team working on the Collins Gem Irish English dictionary.

Máire Nic an Rí
Appointed Primary Education Office with COGG in 2016. She is a primary teacher who was awarded an M.A. in Gaeilge in 1993 from NUI Maynooth. She is on secondment from Scoil Chéile Chríost, Rathmore, Co Kildare. She worked as a Gaeilge advisor with the Primary Curriculum Support Service and the Primary Professional Development Service from 2007-2010. She worked with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) as a Gaeilge and Literacy advisor and subsequently as Team Leader for Gaeilge (primary and post-primary) from 2011-2016

Pádraig Ó Beaglaoich
Pádraig was appointed as an Education Officer (Post-Primary) with COGG in 2016. In 2011 he was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and spent the next 5 years teaching at post-primary level. He has also worked as an freelance Irish translator. He has a keen interest in how technology is developing and how it can be applied to Irish. In 2016 he was awarded a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing and Strategy.

Steph Uí Choinne
Steph was appointed as Executive Officer with COGG in April 2019. She graduated from the University of Ulster, Coleraine with a degree in Irish and spent several years working as an Irish language translator. She spent a year working with the Irish Language Broadcast Fund in Belfast before taking up a position in the Chief Executive’s office of Foras na Gaeilge for almost 11 years.

Micheál S. MacDonnacha
Micheál was appointed Education Officer for Gaeltacht Education Policy by COGG in 2017. He is seconded from Scoil Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. Galway. He worked as an Irish and DEIS Advisor with the Primary Curriculum Support Programme and the Primary Development Support Team from 2006 – 2014. He is member of various Boards of Management in Gaeltacht areas and he is elected to the Board of Gaeloideachas. He is the chairperson of Chomhairle Raidió na Gaeltachta. He is also a member of the INTO standing committee.

Peadar Ó Loideáin
Peadar was appointed Education Officer for Gaeltacht Education Policy by COGG in 2019. He is on secondment from Coláiste na bPiarsach, Ros Muc, Co. Galway, where he served as Principal from 2009-2019. Previously, he served as coordinator of the South West Connemara School Completion Programme and also spent many years teaching Irish in various schools around the country. He works as Consultant Examiner for the State Examinations Commission.

Frank Ó Tormaigh
Frank was appointed Education Officer (Digital) in March 2020. In 2008 he was awarded with Higher Diploma in Primary Education and spent 12 years teaching at primary level. He spent the last of those two years as Assistant Principal 1 in Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan. In 2017 he graduated with a Masters degree in Digital Learning from Dublin City University where he also spent 2 years as a part-time lecturer with the SEIG department. He also led a cluster group as part of the Schools Excellence Fund for 2 years.

Council Members

The members of the current Comhairle (parents, teachers and other experts) were appointed for a new term of office ending March 2022. The role of An Chomhairle is to enact the provisions of Article 31 of the Education Act (1998).

Name	Details
Dónal Ó hAiniféin	Appointed by minister and Chairperson
Rita Nic Amhloaibh	Inspectorate
Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh (Vice Chairperson)	Gaeloideachas
Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin	Gaeloideachas
Pádraig Mac Grianna	Údarás na Gaeltachta
Daríona Nic Con Iomaire	Údarás na Gaeltachta
Elaine Ní Neachtain	NCCA
Edel Ní Chorráin	Foras na Gaeilge
Deirbhile Nic Craith	INTO
Lorraine Finn	ASTI
Séamus Ó Fearraigh	TUI
Liam Ó Diomsaigh	CCEA

Minutes of COGG Meetings

Miontuairiscí COGG – 16 July 2015
Miontuairiscí COGG – 6 October 2015
Miontuairiscí COGG – 10 November 2015
Miontuiariscí COGG – 19 January 2016
Miontuairiscí COGG – 19 April 2016
Miontuairiscí COGG – 14 June 2016
Miontuairiscí COGG – 29 September 2016
Miontuairiscí COGG – 17 November 2016
Miontuairiscí COGG – 7 February 2017
Miontuairiscí COGG – 21 March 2017
Miontuairiscí COGG – 12 December 2017
Miontuairiscí COGG 2018
Miontuairiscí COGG 2019

Internal Audit System

It is the policy of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) for an internal quality audit system to be in place in line with the best practices recognised in the state in accordance with the Department of Finance.

This internal audit service is provided to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaescolaíochta by a qualified accountant.

Following are the duties of the internal auditor:

Review, on a regular basis, the financial accounts and internal control systems within COGG and provide recommendations for amendments or improvements where necessary.
Attendance at both meetings each year with the Audit Committee, to report to the Committee and to answer questions on all accounts and financial practices.

In the case that An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta makes a purchase order over €20,000, all the information will be published on this site.

COGG complies with the legislation on access to environmental information and the Freedom of Information Act.

COGG complies with legislation on faoi access to environmental information and the Freedom of Information Act. Our Nós Imeachta and Coimhlint Leasa are available to read.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Go to Privacy Statement and Terms & Conditions to read COGG’s privacy statement
Contact: rgcs@cogg.ie
Data Protection Officer – Mark Bohan: dpo@education.gov.ie

Our Mission Statement

The Team

Council Members

Minutes of COGG Meetings

Internal Audit System

Policies

Aighneachtaí

Annual Reports

COGG Logo Guidelines