Consultative Forum
About Us
What is the Consultative Forum?
Through the Consultative Forum, the NCSE engages with experts in relevant areas such as education, inclusion, and disability about matters around special education.
The NCSE can appoint up to 17 members. In addition, three members are appointed by the Minister for Education.
The most recent appointment process took place in spring 2023 to last until December 2026.
The Forum was set up under section 22 of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.
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 |