Press release
Ministers Foley and Madigan welcome appointment of new Chief Executive Officer to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
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Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD today welcomed the appointment of Mr. John Kearney as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). He has been appointed by the NCSE following an open competitive process conducted by the Public Appointments Service.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a statutory body established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. It was set up to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities, with particular emphasis on children.
Mr Kearney succeeds Teresa Griffin, who recently retired from the NCSE following 10 years in the role.
Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to welcome Mr. John Kearney as the CEO of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). To nurture, enrich the learning experience for, and empower a child with special educational needs is an enormous responsibility, and one that no teacher or SNA or indeed member of the NCSE takes lightly. The work of the NCSE is pivotal in the provision of educational services to individuals with special needs and I am confident that this important work will develop successfully under his leadership.”
Minister Madigan said:
“The National Council for Special Education plays a hugely important role in planning and coordinating supports for children with special educational and additional care needs. Mr. Kearney brings a wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge to this role in the NCSE and I look forward to working closely with him.”
The role of the CEO is critical to the success of the NCSE. Reporting to the chair and the council, the CEO guides the NCSE’s strategic and operational engagement. As the leader of the organisation, the CEO’s role includes developing effective external stakeholder relationships and engaging strategically with senior decision makers to support implementation of the vision, goals and strategy of the NCSE.
The CEO will lead the organisation in ensuring that it delivers high quality support to people with special educational needs, their families and the professionals who work with them.
Appointment Process
The CEO position was advertised by the Public Appointments Service and selection was made under a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) process. The salary will be Assistant Secretary Grade in accordance with the provisions of the current public sector pay scale Circular. Under Section 24(2) of the EPSEN Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Special Education shall be appointed in a whole-time capacity for a term of 7 years.
NCSE
The structure and functions of the NCSE are set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. The NCSE’s statutory functions include the coordination of the provision of education supports to children with special educational needs (SEN), the planning for the integration of students with SEN needs in mainstream education settings and allocating supports for students with disabilities in mainstream and special school settings in accordance with national policies. The NCSE offers this support and advice to schools and families through the national network of special educational needs organisers and supporting professionals.
The NCSE also provides evidence-based policy advice to the Department on special education matters and the nature and scope of education provision and supports required to meet the needs of children and young people.
The Council also aims to improve the co-ordination between the education and health sectors in providing the supports for children with special educational needs.
John Kearney Bio
John Kearney was appointed Chief Executive of the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board in September 2016. John progressed the delivery of a multi-million Regional Capital Investment Programme having overseen significant increases in post primary enrolments. John fronted the partnering of further education and training services with employers to deliver targeted upskilling programmes and has led the delivery of successful administration pilots with Education Shared Business Services. He has a wide-ranging wealth of experience in education developments at national level, currently implementing ICT initiatives nationwide with the Department of Education and representing the sector on the Tertiary Education System (TES) Steering Committee
John has previously served as Education Officer with the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board and as Principal of Breifne College, Cavan Town. The Cork-born native joined County Cavan VEC in 2002 as school principal from his teaching position in St Colman’s College, Fermoy, Co Cork.
John has a deep-rooted passion for special education and as Chief Executive of CMETB progressed the strategic delivery of contemporary special education facilities and the expansion of further education and training progression routes for students and adults with special educational needs.