Appointment of six members to the Health & Social Care Professionals Council & Registration Board it oversees - 13 March 2025

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has appointed the following persons as members of the Health & Social Care Professionals Council and Registration Boards.

Dr Pauline Wilson

Dr Pauline Wilson is a clinical specialist podiatrist who co-ordinates a multidisciplinary foot team which serves a large population based in Dublin. She is also manager of clinical primary care diabetic foot services. Pauline is the current Irish delegate to D-Foot international as well as a member of the POINT working group for both D-Foot and FIP-IFP. Additionally, she is the current chairperson of the Scientific Committee and president-elect for FIP-IFP. She is on the board of directors for ABPM international. She is a member of the national executive for the wound management association of Ireland. Pauline has represented podiatry on a number of local, regional and national committees and is currently an honorary lecturer for the RCSI. She has presented widely at international conferences on a variety of topics in relation to the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease and has many publications in this area. She also has a keen interest in clinical based research and is the current regional advisor for Ireland for the RCPSG.

Dr Pauline Wilson is appointed following nomination by the Podiatrist Registration Board with effect from 17 December 2024 until 15 October 2028.

Mr Tadhg Daly

Tadhg Daly is Chief Executive of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), the representative organisation for the private and voluntary nursing homes sector. Tadhg is a passionate advocate in care of the older person, outlining that as a society we need to celebrate the fact that people are living longer, develop a continuum of care and ambitious policy for the care of our ageing demographic.

Tadhg Daly is appointed following a Public Jobs campaign with effect from 17 December 2024 until 20 March 2027.

Mr Pawel Stepala

Pawel Stepala is the Head of Standards at the Mental Health Commission in Ireland, where he promotes and fosters best practice in the delivery of mental health services nationwide. Holding a master’s degree in social science from the University of Silesia in his native Poland, Pawel brings over two decades of experience in social work, social care, and regulatory leadership. He is a registered social worker with CORU and a member of the Irish Association of Social Workers.

Pawel Stepala is appointed following a Public Jobs campaign with effect from 17 December 2024 until 8 November 2028.

Ms Gerada Warnes

Gerada Warnes has extensive management experience having held several senior management roles in the UK and Ireland, most notably in acute private healthcare and mental health services. Gerada is recognised for a collaborative leadership style with a practical and proactive approach and with an ability to effectively incorporate strategic vision with operational execution. Focused on person centred care, she is a result orientated senior executive, adept in the management of transformation, multiple multi/interdisciplinary teams and cross organisational projects in dynamic and complex environments.

Gerada is a graduate of University of Ulster Jordanstown (BA (Hons) in Business Studies) and a postgraduate of University College Dublin/Royal College of Surgeons (MBA in Healthcare Management) and Trinity College Dublin (Diploma in Healthcare Innovation).

Gerada Warnes is appointed following a Public Jobs campaign with effect from 17 December 2024 until 8 November 2028.

Ms Yvonne Cassidy

Yvonne Cassidy is a qualified housing, health, and social care professional with over 30 years’ experience. She has held a range of positions managing residential and supported living services and is currently Assistant Director of Intellectual Disability & Autism Services with Inspire Wellbeing. Her role involves strategically developing and managing services. Yvonne is particularly interested in improving the quality of services and is committed to ensuring staff within social care are supported with development and learning.

Yvonne Cassidy is appointed following a Public Jobs campaign with effect from 17 December 2024 until 5 May 2025.

Mr Owen Blee

Owen Blee brings over 20 years of experience in the governance and management of community-based eyecare services, during which he has held several senior leadership positions, including board level. His expertise spans strategic oversight, professional regulation, and operational leadership. Owen has previously served as a professional member of the Optical Registration Board and the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. He holds postgraduate qualifications in ethics, governance, health systems, health policy, and business administration.

Owen Blee is appointed following a Public Jobs campaign with effect from 17 December 2024 until 4 August 2026.