WORKING GROUPS
Working groups will assist and advise the Coiste Gnó and ROB in the development of particular policies that are relevant to the working group’s purpose. Under the responsibility of the Coiste Gnó and ROB, they are authorised to execute certain tasks relating to ISSU mandates and/or project implementation. You can join a working group here
Working groups for 2024/2025:
These are the following working groups for the term 2024/2025
Jack McGinn
Jack McGinn is from Limerick and a past student of Ardscoil Rís. He was elected President of the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Jack served as Education Officer from July 2021 to July 2023. During his tenure, he was responsible for securing the ISSU’s seat on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and overseeing the publication of the ISSU’s 2023 Leaving Certificate Applied Report. Jack was also selected as one of the Irish Times' Top 50 'Ones to Watch' in 2022 for his work as Education Officer.
Outside of the ISSU, Jack is a member of the Ticktock Global Council representing Ireland. He is also a council member of the National Youth Council of Ireland, involved in the Ombudsman for Children Youth Advisory Panel, and a member of the SpunOut Youth Action Panel for the Southern Region.
You can contact Jack McGinn at uachtaran@issu.ie or jack.mcginn@issu.ie
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Role of the Uachtarán
You can read further about the role of the Uachtarán here.
Welfare Officer
Leas-Uachtarán
Máirín Harding
Máirín Harding is from Mayo and is a past student of Saint Brendan's College. She was elected as Leas-Uachtarán in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Máirín served as Welfare Officer from 2023 to 2024. She also served as the Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim Regional Officer from January 2022 to July 2023 and participated in various internal working groups.
Outside of the ISSU, she is involved with Youth Work Ireland as the Co-Chairperson of the National Action Group and a member of the North West Action Panel. She has also been involved with Mayo Comhairle na nÓg.
You can contact Máirín Harding at leasuachtaran@issu.ie or mairin.harding@issu.ie
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Role of the Leas-Uachtarán
You can read further about the role of the Leas- Uachtarán here.
Aideen Hannath is from Wexford and is a past student of Presentation Wexford. She was elected as Welfare Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Aideen served as a Regional Officer for Wexford from 2023 to 2024 and participated in various Welfare working groups.
Outside of the ISSU, she was involved in her school's Student Council for the past five years and is also active in other student welfare organizations.
You can contact Aideen Hannath at aideen.hannath@issu.ie or welfare@issu.ie.
Office of the Welfare Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.3, the role of the Welfare Officer is defined as follows:
The ISSU Welfare Officer has the overall responsibility for the advocacy of student wellbeing within and on behalf of the ISSU.
They develop national campaigns and initiatives for second-level students in the areas of well-being, such as Mental Health, Sexual Health, Substance Abuse, etc. They also have the responsibility for implementing the ISSU’s welfare policies.
Sustainability Officer
Bel Nabulele is from Dublin and is a student at Lucan Community College. She was re-elected as Equality Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Bel served as the Equality Officer in the 2023 to 2024 Coiste Gnó.
Outside of the ISSU, she is involved in her school's Student Council, Comhairle na nÓg, Fridays for Future Dublin, Amnesty International, and the National Youth Council of Ireland.
You can contact Bel Nabulele at bel.nabulele@issu.ie or equality@issu.ie.
Office of the Equality Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.7, the role of the Equality Officer is defined as follows:
The Equality Officer has overall responsibility for the defence and promotion of anti-discrimination within and on behalf of the ISSU, and on issues that affect second-level students. They are responsible for the implementation of the ISSU’s Equality Directive Mandates.
Oifigeach na Gaeilge
Andrea Ní Fhearaíl
Andrea Ní Fhearaíl is from Wicklow and is a past student of Gaelcholáiste Na Mara. She was elected as Oifigeach na Gaeilge in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Andrea was her school's representative to the ISSU.
Outside of the ISSU, Andrea was involved in her school's debating team and served as Chair of the Student Council and Green Schools committee for the past five years. She is also involved in other student welfare organizations.
You can contact Andrea Ní Fhearaíl at andrea.nifhearail@issu.ie or oifigeachnagaeilge@issu.ie.
Office of the Oifigeach na Gaeilge
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.9, the role of the Oifigeach na Gaeilge is defined as follows:
The Oifigeach na Gaeilge is responsible for promoting the Irish language within the ISSU. They are the primary liaison with students from gaelcholáistí and are responsible for the upkeep and implementation of the Irish Language Scheme.
Uachtarán Oinigh
Shari Irfan
Shari Irfan is from Dublin and is a student at Dublin City University, where he is studying Law and History. He is a past student of Castleknock. He took office as Uachtarán Oinigh on July 10, 2024, following the completion of his term as Uachtarán.
Previously, Shari has served as the Uachtarán of the ISSU for the term 2023 to 2024, International Officer for the term 2022 to 2023, and as the Dublin Fingal Regional Officer from January 2022 to June 2022.
Outside of the ISSU, Shari was involved with his school's student council and Comhairle na nÓg.
You can contact Shari Irfan at shari.irfan@issu.ie or uachtaranoinigh@issu.ie.
Office of the Uachtarán Oinigh
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.11, the role of the Uachtarán Oinigh is defined as follows:
The Uachtarán Oinigh plays an advisory role within the ISSU, providing insight into the workings of the Union. They provide feedback to the Coiste Gnó as necessary and offer support to officers, particularly first-time officers. They guide the Union and liaise with the MAC (Management Advisory Committee) to ensure compliance with the constitution, ISSU policy, and the best interests of the Union.
The Uachtarán Oinigh has overall responsibility for advocating and representing second-level students who are part of workplace or trades programs while in education. They liaise with relevant trade unions and advocate for early school leavers in workplace education programs. They represent second-level students involved in workplace education on behalf of the ISSU.
Orla Quigley
Orla Quigley is from Dublin and is a student at Dominican College Griffith Avenue. She was elected as Welfare Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Aideen served as her school's representative to the ISSU.
Outside of the ISSU, Orla has been involved in her school's Student Council and Green Schools committee for the past five years. She is also a delegate for Ireland to the European Youth Parliament.
You can contact Orla Quigley at orla.quigley@issu.ie or sustainability@issu.ie.
Office of the Sustainability Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.4, the role of the Sustainability Officer is defined as follows:
The ISSU Sustainability Officer will have the overall responsibility for actions surrounding sustainability and climate justice within and on behalf of the ISSU.
They will also be responsible for ensuring the student voice in the implementation of the SDGs and the integration of sustainability within the ISSU..
Regional Liaison and Support Officer (RSLO)
Jason Tamayo
Jason Tamayo is from Wicklow and is a student at Woodbrook College, Bray. He was elected as Regional Liaison and Support Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Jason served as the Regional Officer for Wicklow from 2023 to 2024 and has participated in various internal working groups.
Outside of the ISSU, Jason is a member of his student council.
You can contact Jason Tamayo at jason.tamayo@issu.ie or rlso@issu.ie.
Office of the Regional Liaison and Support Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.6, the role of the Regional Liaison and Support Officer is defined as follows:
The Regional Liaison and Support Officer has overall responsibility for the organization and coordination of the Regional Officer Body. They will chair any meetings of the Regional Officer Body and ensure smooth communication between the ROB and the Coiste Gnó. In the absence of regional officers, they will chair ISSU Regional Councils. They play a key role in ISSU's grassroots development.
They will assist regional officers with local projects throughout their term and work towards ensuring each member school has an ISSU School Representative in conjunction with the Regional Officer Body. They will work with regional officers to ensure that national campaigns and events are implemented on a local level. They will liaise with regional officers on the work of the Coiste Gnó and with the Coiste Gnó on the work of the Regional Officer Body through regional officer action reports.
Communications Officer
Hugh Ahern
Hugh Ahern is from Cork and is a student at the Patrician Academy Mallow. He was elected as Communications Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Hugh served as the Regional Officer for Cork from January 2024 to July 2024. During his time as a Regional Officer, Hugh worked on building the brand image of ISSU at a regional level and engaged with the elected political representatives of Cork to promote ISSU in the region.
Outside of the ISSU, Hugh is a member of his student council, where he has served as Secretary for the last two years. He is also a member of his Green Schools committee. Hugh runs his own business and is involved with the Mallow Chamber of Commerce. In a personal capacity, Hugh has addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on three different matters. He is also a member of a youth political organization where he is actively involved in policy committees. Previously, Hugh has been involved with Comhairle na nÓg, turn2me.ie as a youth advisor, and as a member of the Foróige Reference Panel.
You can contact Hugh Ahern at hugh.ahern@issu.ie or communications@issu.ie.
Office of the Communications Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.8, the role of the Communications Officer is defined as follows:
The Communications Officer is responsible for the publication of ISSU media in all forms. They will assist strongly in organizing and strategizing ISSU campaigns as required by the Coiste Gnó in pursuit of the Directive Mandates.
They have the overall role of ensuring a strong communication link between the Coiste Gnó and member schools. They are responsible for keeping the ISSU website up to date and liaising with the Secretariat on any changes needed.
Education Officer
Emma Cox
Emma Cox is from Dublin and is a past student of Mount Temple Comprehensive School. She was elected as Education Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Emma served as her school's representative to the ISSU.
Outside of the ISSU, she has been involved in Comhairle na nÓg, Eco-UNESCO, Gpen Reformation, and Youth Work Ireland.
You can contact Emma Cox at emma.cox@issu.ie or education@issu.ie.
Office of the Education Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.10, the role of the Education Officer is defined as follows:
The Education Officer is responsible for promoting the student perspective regarding the education they receive. This role is primarily policy-oriented and representative, ensuring that the voice of students is heard and considered in matters related to their education.
Disability Officer
Kayleigh McNamara
Kayleigh McNamara is from Westmeath and is a student at Athlone Community College. She was elected as Disability Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Outside of the ISSU, she has been involved in disability and women's health lobbying.
You can contact Kayleigh McNamara at kayleigh.mcnamara@issu.ie or disability@issu.ie.
Office of the Disability Officer
The Disability Officer has overall responsibility for promoting accessibility for disabled students at second-level within member schools. They are responsible for anti-discrimination and awareness campaigns on issues affecting students within the ISSU and second-level schools in general.
International Officer
Preston O’Keeffe
Preston O’Keeffe is from Kerry and is a student at CBS The Green Tralee. He was elected as International Officer in April 2024 and took office on July 10, 2024.
Previously, Preston served as the Regional Officer for Kerry from 2022 to 2023.
Outside of the ISSU, Preston is a member of his student council, where he has served as Chairperson for the last three years.
You can contact Preston O’Keeffe at preston.okeeffe@issu.ie or international@issu.ie.
Office of the International Officer
As set out in the constitution, Section 10, Subsection 10.5, the role of the International Officer is defined as follows:
The ISSU International Officer liaises with OBESSU (Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions) and ensures that OBESSU policies are implemented in Ireland. They will also liaise with other international education bodies.
They are also responsible for the promotion of inclusion regarding international students in Ireland and ensuring that ISSU International Policies are implemented on a national and local level.
