Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement she has had with parents' advocacy groups to address their concerns relating to the shortage of special needs assistants. [28493/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that my department has established a forum for engagement with parents and advocacy groups representing children with disabilities on a range of issues relating to education provision. There is regular engagement with the stakeholders on all issues and the Department works closely with everyone involved in delivering on the common shared objective of ensuring that children with SEN are fully supported in their educational settings.

The Consultative Forum for Special Education provides an opportunity for a broad range of parents of children with special educational needs to contribute to the on-going reform and development of special education policy and provision, and, raise concerns in this regard.

The forum covers the special education provision for children of school going age attending recognised primary, special and post primary schools.

The aims and objectives of the Consultative forum are to;

- Be a forum for the sharing and communication of authoritative information on new developments and policy matters relevant to special education

- Provide an opportunity for discussion and input on education policy development for school going children

- Provide a forum where issues of concern can be raised, discussed and proposals and solutions formulated where appropriate

- Develop and strengthen connections between statutory and other agencies providing education supports and advice for children with special educational needs and theirfamilies

- Provide information, advice and input that supports the provision of education supports for children with special educational needs.

- Be a reference point for the raising of issues or seeking clarification on aspects of special education policy and provision

The initial membership of the forum comprises parent representatives from groups including AsIAm, Inclusion Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland, Family Carer’s Ireland and Open Special Schools and Classes.

The National Parents Council are responsible for facilitating the inclusion of a broader parental voice on an ongoing basis.

The forum has met a number of times since its inception in December 2021. The forum is scheduled to meet once per school term or more often if required. In planning the agenda, members are invited to submit agenda items and it is open to Forum members to collaborate and prioritise matters for consideration at each meeting.