Appointments to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council Registration Boards - 25 July 2023

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has appointed/ re-appointed the following members to these Health and Social Care Professionals Council Registration Boards.

Cara Cunningham

Cara Cunningham has worked as a dietitian for over 27 years. Initially she worked in hospital roles but took up a Community Dietetic position in CHO8 Midlands, Louth and Meath almost 25 years ago. She has worked in a number of specialties but has recently moved to a Senior Dietetic role in diabetes care within the Enhanced Community Care: Chronic Disease Management programme structures. She is currently based in the Longford/ Westmeath hub. As a rural voice she will bring this experience and perspective to a board role. Cara is passionate about dietetics and the profession. She is a strong supporter and advocate of student training.

Cara is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 1 June 2023 to 29 May 2027.

Michelle Darcy

Michelle Darcy has 16 years' clinical practice as an occupational therapist in mental health settings primarily. A graduate of BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy from TCD she has recently completed a level 9 certificate in Health Project Management from ATU and a level 8 certificate in Cooperative Learning Leadership Programme from DCU. She has a particular interest and experience in change management in healthcare, collective leadership and the centrality of the lived experience voice in service design. She has worked as Acting Occupational Therapy Manager at intervals over a number of years and has contributed to the profession at national level including delivery of the HSE Professional Supervision Programme for Supervisors (HSCPs). Michelle is currently a member of AOTI Mental Health Advisory Group Committee.

Michelle is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 1 June 2023 to 29 May 2027.

Mary Kennedy

Mary Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. Before taking up her current academic role she was a Teaching Fellow in Social Work at UCD. Prior to entering social work teaching, Mary held the position of Assistant Lecturer in Social Care in the Department of Humanities at the Southeast Technological University Carlow Campus.

Mary is a UCD social work graduate with post-qualification employment experience in child protection and welfare, mental health, medical and palliative social work roles. In addition to obtaining her Doctoral Degree and obtaining a Professional Masters in Social Work, she has a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree in Applied Social Studies (Social Care). Mary is a CORU registered social worker and a member of the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW). She is passionate about social work teaching and practice. As a member of the CORU Social Work Registration Board Mary is keen to ensure that social workers are supported and encouraged to meet the highest professional standards.

Mary is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 1 June 2023 to 4 August 2026.

Antonia Hussey

Antonia Hussey qualified as a speech and language therapist in 1988 and has over 30 years’ experience working in the Irish and Canadian health service. Since 2014, she has been working at the National Hearing Implant &Research centre (NHIRC) in Beaumont Hospital with deaf children, supporting the development of their listening, language and speech skills. Antonia is involved in research at the NHIRC and is also involved in supervision and mentoring with students and parents.

She is registered with CORU and is a member of The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists. Antonia was Chairperson of the IASLT Overseas Committee between 2002 and 2009. She has also presented at national conferences and in the UK.

Antonia is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 1 June 2023 to 4 August 2026.

Chiara Healy

Chiara Healy is the Speech and Language Therapist Manager at Tipperary University Hospital. She has been a practicing Speech and Language Therapist since 2009 and her experience is at both community and acute hospital levels. Prior to 2009, her career was in the area of corporate insurance. She has a BA from University College Cork and an MSc Speech & Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) from University of Limerick. She also as an MSc in Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disability from University of Portsmouth. Chiara is a member of IASLT and has served on the National Risk Subgroup for the HSE Working Group for IDDSI 2018 – 2019.

Chiara is appointed following a PAS process is with effect from 1 June 2023 to 4 August 2026.

James Doorley

Mr James Doorley is currently Secretary General of the Irish Chamber of Shipping. He is also a board member of the Residential Tenancies Board and previously served as a member of the Dental Council. In addition to this, he serves on regulatory committees with the Nursing and Midwifery Board and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority. He is active with several charities, including as Chairperson of North Leinster MABS. James has qualifications in social studies, law and corporate governance.

James has been reappointed from 21 July 2023 until 20 July 2027 and this is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Ian Boyle Harper

Mr Ian Boyle Harper is a practicing barrister with extensive experience in the fields of regulatory, public, administrative and commercial law. He holds an undergraduate law degree from University College Dublin and a master’s degree from Harvard Law School. Ian also teaches the Barrister-at-Law degree course at the Honorable Society of the King’s Inns.

Ian is reappointed from 21 July 2023 until 20 July 2027 and this is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Dunia Hutchinson

Dunia Hutchinson is the Group Director of Intellectual Disability & Autism Services with Inspire Wellbeing, an all-island charity. She has previously worked with the Society of St Vincent de Paul as their National Manager of Homeless Services and with the HSE & Tusla as a frontline service manager and Social Care Worker in residential services for children and young people. She has lectured on the Social Care education programmes in the former DIT and IT Carlow and was a member of the Social Care Workers Registration Board until March 2023. A Maynooth University graduate in Applied Social Studies, Dunia also holds an MPhil in Gender & Women’s Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a Diploma in Law from the Law Society of Ireland in addition to her core professional qualifications from the former Dublin institute of Technology.

Dunia is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 21 July 2023 until 20 July 2027.

Sean O’ Connell

Dr Seán O'Connell is a Chartered Senior Psychologist and an academic and clinical supervisor. He is the founder of the Institute of Psychology and has a background in public services such as the HSE and HEA, within private and corporate organisations, as well as charities. Seán works with all ages, couples, and families, and specialises in OCD and eating disorders. He is the current Head of Student Counselling at the Technological University of the Shannon.

Sean is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 21 July 2023 until 20 July 2027.

Dr Sam Gower

Dr. Sam Gower is a Clinical Psychologist registered both in Ireland and the UK. He is a Clinical Director with the NHS commissioning out of hospital healthcare services. He also works with Redress Scotland to support people who were abused while in care as children. He was previously the Clinical Director of Pieta House and has been a Principal Clinical Psychologist in a number of charity and private organisations.

Sam is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 21 July 2023 until 20 July 2027.

Ladislav Timulak

Dr Ladislav Timulak, PhD is Professor in Counselling Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. He is involved in training of mental health professionals in Ireland and internationally. His main research interest is the development of transdiagnostic treatments for depression, anxiety, and related disorders. Ladislav is also researching the use of mental health interventions delivered online.

Ladislav is appointed following a PAS process and is with effect from 14 June 2023 to 20 July 2025.