John Kearney

CEO

NCSE

Biography

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD welcomed in February of this year the appointment of Mr. John Kearney as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). He was appointed by the NCSE following an open competitive process conducted by the Public Appointments Service.

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 leader of the NCSE is eager to continue developing effective stakeholder relationships in supporting the collective implementation of the vision, goals and strategy of an inclusive education system for children with special educational needs.