Ms Lorraine Dempsey:

Under the Education Act, the Department of Education and Skills has a statutory obligation to consult with the National Parents Council Primary and the National Parents Council Post Primary. Beyond that, it is whoever else is deemed to get on the list for consultation groups. Traditionally, Inclusion Ireland would be in consultation groups with other disability organisations. There would be a teachers consultation group with a therapist or health led consultation group. As well as going back to how other Departments get involved in more co-design with stakeholders early on in these matters, there is room for the Department to have a national forum made up of a broader spectrum of groups.