Appointment of 9 lay members to 6 Registration Boards and Council under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 - 12 April 2023

Following a Public Appointments Service campaign, The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D., has appointed these members to the following Registration Boards.

Health and Social Care Professionals Council - Dara Purcell

Dara Purcell has worked at senior management level in a number of Government Departments including the Houses of the Oireachtas and in the Health Services for over 30 years. He currently holds the position of Corporate Secretary for the Health Service Executive (HSE) along with the position of Executive Lead for Office of Legal Services within the HSE.

He is a qualified Solicitor and Chartered Secretary with the Chartered Governance Institute. His academic qualifications also include a Master’s degree in European Law (LLM), a Master degree in Health Care Management (MSc Healthcare) and a Diploma in Leadership and Quality in Healthcare.

This appointment is from 21st of March 2023 to the 20th of March 2027 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Social Care Workers Registration Board – Seán O’Dubhlaing

Seán Ó Dubhlaing is an outgoing elected member of the Teaching Council of Ireland involved in financial oversight, vetting regulation, and registration of Irish registered teachers. He has worked extensively for 38 years in primary education, special needs education, public administration, trade unions, and community/sports/voluntary organisations at national/regional/local levels. Seán has researched and graduated from UCD, DCU, and NUI Maynooth in Education, Leadership, Regulation, Vetting, Financial Governance, and Data Protection and plans to study post-retirement - Audit and Risk Compliance and cybersecurity. He practices and advocates for lifelong learning, personally and professionally.

This appointment is from the 27th of March 2023 to the 26th of March 2027 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Social Care Workers Registration Board – Mercy Eniola Bash

Mercy Bash relocated to Ireland with her family as a teenager. She has since obtained her Bachelor degree and qualified as a chartered accountant. Mercy has a wealth of experience in accountancy and finance. She has worked as a private consultant and for multinational companies in the IT, Health and Finance industries. She is married and has two children.

This appointment is from the 27th of March 2023 to the 26th of March 2027 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Social Workers Registration Board – Aoife Kelly Desmond

Aoife Kelly-Desmond is Managing Solicitor at Mercy Law Resource Centre, an independent law centre which provides free legal advice and representation to people at risk of homelessness. Aoife previously worked as a solicitor in A&L Goodbody and Matheson where she advised commercial entities and public bodies on investigations, regulatory matters and complex litigation and disputes. She is Chair of Plan International Ireland, an international development charity that advances children’s right and equality for girls.

With the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Social Workers Registration Board – Caoimhe Gleeson

Caoimhe Gleeson is General Manager at the HSE National Office for Human Rights and Equality Policy. Her principal role is in developing national policy and guidance on matters relating to Human Rights and Equality legislation including the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, the Human Rights and Equality Act 2014, the HSE National Consent Policy and the Disability Act 2005. She holds a BA, an LLB, an MA in Community Development, a professional diploma in Equality and Human Rights, is a qualified mediator and is currently studying for a Barrister at Law Degree at Kings Inns. She is a member of the National Research Ethics Committee (NREC) on Clinical Trials. Her research interests include protection of liberty safeguards, informed consent, inclusive patient and service user engagement, trauma-informed practice and continuous professional development.

These appointments are from 28th March 2023 to the 10th of March 2027.

Medical Scientists Registration Board – Sheila McGuinness

Sheila McGuinness is a dynamic, results focused leader whose career spans over 30 years in complex healthcare settings, encompassing both national and regional services. She has held multiple roles in nursing management, project management and as a business manager in an acute level 4 hospital. Senior leadership roles have included Director of Nursing in Beaumont Hospital for 5 years, Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery for 1 year and Chief Operations Officer for 6 years in the RCSI Hospital Group. Most recently, she has taken a national role as Director of Access at the Acute Operations division in HSE. Sheila has completed a MA in Healthcare Management and an MSc in leadership and has trained as an executive coach.

This appointment is from 28th March 2023 to the 8th of November 2026 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Radiographers Registration Board – Margaret Hughes

Peggy Hughes is a specialist pensions lawyer with post graduate qualifications in Applied Finance Law and professional pension trusteeship. Peggy has written and lectured in the Law Society of Ireland on pensions law and has served on other boards in the past and many professional committees. She trained and worked as a registered general nurse managing a busy day surgery unit in a North London hospital before transitioning to law. Peggy also qualified to teach and assess nurses in clinical practice and lectured in the North London School of Nursing during that time.

She is an active member of the Diversity and Inclusion committee in her law firm and sits on the committee of the Disability Legal Network. She has a very active and personal interest in healthcare and disability issues. Peggy has extensive and varied skills, experience and expertise at her disposal from her personal and professional backgrounds to bring to this role representing the interests of the general public.

This appointment is from 28th March 2023 to the 23rd of January 2026 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment

Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board – Avril Sheridan

Avril is a qualified Solicitor with 22 years litigation experience in the Legal Aid Board, representing clients in all areas of Civil Law at all Court levels. During that time, she served on many Committees and Working Groups in the Legal Aid Board both as Chair and Ordinary Member.

Avril has 10 years’ Board experience as Director of a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group where she was actively involved in setting the Corporate Governance agenda and minimising risk. She previously worked as a Senior Executive in Banking and was the Lead Project Manager on several complex projects which she brought to successful conclusion. Presently, she is practicing as a Certified Mediator and Facilitator.

Avril has a Post Graduate Diploma in Judicial Skills from the Law Society and is presently undertaking a Post Graduate Diploma in Quasi-Judicial Decision Making with the Kings Inns. She serves on a number of Committees in regulatory bodies. She has appointments with CORU on the Preliminary Proceedings Committee and Appeals Board. She also has been appointed to the Quality Assurance Review Board of the Chartered Accountancy Body.

This appointment is from 28th March to the 13th of February 2024 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Dietitians Registration Board – Susan Temple

Susan Temple has 40 years’ experience in the public health service. During this time, Susan held a number of strategic leadership and management roles in Community and Acute Hospital Services. She was appointed as an Acute Hospital General Manager in 2001 and General Manager for Quality and Patient Safety and Service Improvement at Hospital Group level in 2015.

Susan was awarded a Certificate in Governance by the IPA in 2018, a Diploma in Leadership and Quality by the RCPI in 2016 and an MBA by Coventry University in 2002. She also holds a Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance (ACCA) and a Diploma in Health Service Management.

This appointment is from 28th March to the 13th of February 2024 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.