Consultative Forum
About Us
What is the Consultative Forum?
The Consultative Forum, appointed under section 22 of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004, is a forum that the NCSE engages with on special education matters. The Council appoints up to 17 members following a prescribed consultation process. In addition, three members are appointed by the Minister for Education.
An appointment process was undertaken in spring 2023 for a term of office to December 2026.
About Us
Members of the Consultative Forum
The following members were appointed to the Consultative Forum in May 2023.
| Name | Current Role |
|---|---|
| Marina Cusack | Special Educational Needs Coordinator in a Post-Primary School |
| Anna Ní Chartúir | Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Gaeltacht Primary School |
| Paddy Greally | Retired Children’s Services Manager, Brothers of Charity |
| Miriam Colum | Lecturer in Special Educational Needs, Marino Institute of Education |
| Patricia McCarthy | Inclusion in Education and Society Research Team, Trinity College Dublin |
| Dr. Joe Travers | Associate Professor in the School of Inclusive and Special Education Dublin City University |
| Stephen Ryan | TCPID Graduate and currently employed by Ernst & Young |
| Catherine Moynihan | Research and Development Officer, Joint Managerial Body (JMB) |
| Dr. Finn Ó Murchú | Head of School of Education (Post-primary), Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Thurles |
| Brian O’Doherty | President, Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) |
| Shiela Murphy | Acting Assistant General Secretary, Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO) |
| Derval McDonagh | Chief Executive Officer, Inclusion Ireland |
| Gerry Maley | National Disability Specialist, HSE |
| Matt Melvin | Director, Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, CPSMA |
| Darren Murphy | Team Leader, Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) |
| Maureen Smith | Team Manager, NCSE |
| Katherine O’Leary | Member Board of Directors of Cope Foundation, Cork and Home Economics and Life Skills teacher |
| Members appointed by the Minister for Education | |
| Andrina Donovan | Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Education |
| Pauline Kerins | Senior Psychologist, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) |
| Lisa White | Senior Inspector, Inspectorate, Department of Education |