Questions are being raised over the relocation of the Donegal Education Support Centre from its home in Donegal Town to Letterkenny.
The centre, which provides CPD courses to teachers and special needs assistants, has been based in Donegal Town for 28 years.
Last week managers publicly announced an upcoming move to Glenview Business Park in Letterkenny this spring.
Despite management saying the decision was made with consultation with staff and stakeholders, the news has been met with mixed feelings.
In Donegal Town, it’s reported that staff are “devastated”.
Sinn Féin Councillor Noel Jordan said the news “came as a huge shock”.
“The staff feel that this move is unnecessary as the Centre provides courses in outreach venues throughout the County to facilitate all teachers and special needs assistants in the education community while approximately 95% of courses are held online,” Cllr Jordan said.
Cllr Jordan said that he and his party colleague Pearse Doherty TD will be forwarding questions to the Department of Education and the Management Committee of the centre and call on them to reconsider the decision.
Cllr Jordan commented it was “unbelievable” how staff were informed of the move, with claims of rumours and “a wall of silence” before they were eventually told.
Independent Councillor Jimmy Brogan highlighted the implications on staff who will now have to commute into a busy area of Letterkenny: “It might suit some teachers in North Donegal not to travel to Donegal Town a few days per year, although as far as I’m aware, most courses are available on-line but no consideration to the staff, some with young families who will have to travel to Letterkenny for their full time job.”
A statement from the management committee, issued to Donegal Daily today, acknowledged the concerns raised by DESC employees.
They said that staff were informed of the move last year.
A spokesperson said: “The Management Committee got official approval from the Department of Education before Christmas and, following a management committee meeting, the staff of the centre were immediately notified.
“It is crucial to recognise that the Management Committee has acted with the best interests of teachers, school leaders, and the broader community in mind. The relocation aligns with our mission statement to support the delivery of quality teaching and enhance learners’ potential across Donegal.”
They added that meetings have taken place with the staff and Forsa union regarding the relocation and that a hybrid model of work has been offered along with greater work flexibility.
Cllr Jordan added that the loss of the centre is a loss for Donegal Town.
“The Centre plays a vital role in our town’s community. Furthermore it enhances the town’s economy by bringing business to local vendors, hospitality services and other business establishments in Donegal Town,” he said.
In announcing the relocation to Letterkenny, the DESC Management Committee said that the move prioritises accessibility, financial efficiency, and enhanced facilities for high-quality professional training and support to principals, teachers, and special needs assistants (SNAs) in Donegal.
They added that the move is supported by the Department of Education, who have approved funding for the new premises.
Former TD Thomas Pringle queried the move with Minister for Education Norma Foley in October last year.
The Minister said: “Decisions about how to run the centre to achieve the best teacher professional learning opportunities for all teachers in the ESC catchment area are a matter for the management committee in the first instance.
“My Department has been informed that the management committee is currently considering relocating the centre and that it has engaged with stakeholders in this regard. My Department will continue to engage with the Centre as required to ensure that the Centre is providing optimum supports to fulfil its statutory remit and in line with public financial policy.”
The following is the statement in full issued by the DESC Management Committee:
The decision to relocate DESC was made after extensive consultation with school leaders, teachers, staff and other stakeholders over the past year. Following these discussions, the Management Committee which is presented by primary and post primary teachers from all over the County, concluded that a centralised and accessible hub in Letterkenny would best serve the evolving needs of educators and schools in the region.
Enhanced accessibility is key driver of this decision. Letterkenny’s central location makes it more accessible to the majority of Donegal’s educators, which includes principals, teachers and SNAs from 178 primary schools, 28 post-primary schools, and two special schools. Feedback from teachers has highlighted the challenges of reaching the Donegal Town location.
Relocating to Letterkenny will address these concerns and ensure equitable access to training and support services for a greater number of educators throughout the county. The new premises offer modern amenities and an enhanced environment for professional development, supporting face-to-face workshops and fostering deeper engagement and collaboration. While online learning has been successful, there is a growing demand for in-person interaction, and the new facilities will better accommodate both modalities.
Support for this move has been widespread throughout the whole county of Donegal. All of our stakeholders support this move. Surveys and consultations conducted earlier this year revealed strong backing for a centralised, modern facility to better meet the needs of Donegal’s educational community. While we understand the concerns raised by DESC employees, it is crucial to recognise that the Management Committee has acted with the best interests of teachers, school leaders, and the broader community in mind. The relocation aligns with our mission statement to support the delivery of quality teaching and enhance learners’ potential across Donegal.
Meetings have taking place with the staff and Forsa union regarding relocation where a hybrid model of work has been offered with greater flexibility around their working day and the opportunity to work from home.
The Management Committee is committed to ensuring DESC’s long-term sustainability and excellence. This vision aligns with the Education Support Centre Ireland (ESCI) Strategy Statement, which aspires for Centres to serve as hubs of excellence. The move to Letterkenny reflects this commitment and our responsibility to adapt to the evolving needs of the education community.
Relocating to Letterkenny is a strategic decision aimed at prioritising accessibility, financial efficiency, and enhanced facilities. We are confident this move will provide long-term benefits to educators, staff, and stakeholders. While we acknowledge the concerns raised, this decision has been taken with the broader educational community’s needs at its core. This decision is supported by the Department of Education, who have approved funding for the new premises.
