Louth Meath Education and Training Board announce new REALT Co-ordinator
Ms Donnelly will assist the transition of Ukrainian, Non Ukrainian pupils and students and their families into Irish schools
Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) have announced the appointment of Ms. Sinead Donnelly to the position of Co-ordinator of the Louth and Meath Regional Education and Language Team (REALT) which is hosted on behalf of the Department of Education by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) for counties Louth and Meath.
The primary role of the Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) Coordinator is to assist the transition of Ukrainian, Non Ukrainian pupils and students and their families into Irish schools by assisting them in securing school places and in providing education support structures and related services.
The REALT Coordinator will support schools in the Louth and Meath area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, to advise and support the Department in developing new capacity where required, and to co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families.
These teams are ensuring that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.
In congratulating Sinead on her appointment to this role, Ms. Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools, LMETB stated:
“Having worked as an Educational Welfare Officer with TUSLA Education Support Services (TESS) and more recently with the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), Sinead brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role particularly in the areas of school placement and student attendance.
"During her time with both TUSLA Education Support Services (TESS) and IPAS Sinead has also built very positive working relationships with the schools in the Louth and Meath area and this will greatly benefit the work of REALT in counties Louth and Meath as Sinead commences in her new role.”
Speaking about her appointment, Sinead said:
“It is a great privilege to be offered the role of REALT Coordinator. Having worked as an Educational Welfare Officer, for seven years and recently in 2022, having the opportunity to work in the International Protection Accommodation Services, I feel that I have had an opportunity to gain a very valuable insight into what the role will entail.
"I have been very fortunate to already has worked in both the Louth and Meath Schools, as an Educational Welfare Officer and look forward to having the opportunity to work with both the schools and my TESS colleagues in both of those areas, once again."
Sinead took up her appointment on Monday 17 April 2023 and can be contacted at [email protected] and on 086 1036571.
As at the 5 April 2023, the Department of Education have confirmed that a total of 556 Ukrainian pupils are enrolled in primary schools across Counties Louth and Meath while a further 308 Ukrainian students are enrolled in post primary schools across Counties Louth and Meath.