Minister Lawless nominates Sue O’Neill and John Mannion to the Skillnet Ireland Board of Directors
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe: 24 Meán Fómhair 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 24 Meán Fómhair 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD today announced his nomination of Ms Sue O’Neill and Mr John Mannion to Skillnet Ireland’s Board of Directors for a three-year term until the 17 September 2028. The Board of Directors ratified the Minister’s nominations at its meeting on 18 September 2025.
Skillnet Ireland supports businesses to become more competitive by supporting them to access upskilling and reskilling solutions for their employees. It supports the development of national policy in relation to workforce development and designs upskilling solutions to meet future skills needs in a mobile skills landscape. It is funded by the National Training Fund, through Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the European Union.
Speaking today, Minister Lawless said: “Skillnet Ireland plays a significant role in our skills ecosystem. Ireland’s international reputation as an innovative, agile and high-performing economy is critically dependent on the quality of its workforce. This demands a robust and durable supply of talent and highly skilled workers. Skillnet Ireland plays a pivotal role in equipping businesses and workers with the necessary skills to navigate the rapidly evolving economic landscape, ensuring their ability to thrive in the modern market.
“These nominations bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Skillnet Ireland. I am delighted to nominate Ms O’Neill and Mr Mannion and I am confident they will make a valuable contribution to the work of Skillnet Ireland.”
Brendan McGinty, Chairperson, Skillnet Ireland said: “On behalf of the Board of Skillnet Ireland, I am delighted to welcome Sue O’Neill and John Mannion as newly appointed Directors on the nomination of the Minister. Sue’s exceptional advocacy for the SME sector as a former Chair of the Small Firms Association (SFA), and background in corporate governance along with John’s experience of skills, talent and technology’s impact on people and organisations will complement the existing diverse skillset on the Skillnet Ireland Board.”
The Board of Directors act as stewards of Skillnet Ireland and have the authority and duty to manage the affairs and business of Skillnet Ireland and its subsidiary, Skillnets Services DAC. The Board provides leadership in setting Skillnet Ireland’s long-term strategic direction, and to approve and monitor Skillnet Ireland’s overall strategic plan, operating goals, operating budget, performance indicators and the business plans established to achieve them.
NOTES
New Nominees Appointed
Sue O’Neill is the Owner and Managing Director of Shellcove Limited. She has been the representative voice of small business on the Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB) since 2019 and was nominated by the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment to the Board of Microfinance Ireland where she served from 2017 to 2023. Ms. O’Neill served as Chair of the Small Firms Association for two terms.
Since 2025 John Mannion has been Executive Director of the ARC Hub for ICT at TU Dublin. He has been Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Trinity College Dublin Students Union for over 10 years, and sits on the board of One Family, Ireland’s National Organisation for One Parent Families.
About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland Company Limited by Guarantee was established by Government in 1999 in recognition of the need to raise the skills levels of those in employment, by working directly with industry sectors in an enterprise-led manner. Skillnet Ireland is an aegis body of DFHERIS and is funded from the NTF. The primary aim of Skillnet Ireland is to increase participation in enterprise training by companies to upskill the workforce and provide greater access for workers to skills development. Skillnet Ireland conforms to requirements set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
At entity level, Skillnet Ireland is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act, 2014.
Fees payable to Directors of the Board
Ordinary members of the Skillnet Ireland Board of Directors are paid a fee of €7,695 per annum. It should be noted that, in line with the ‘One Person, One Salary’ principle, no public servant is entitled to receive remuneration in the form of board fees, save for situations that are statutorily provided for e.g. Worker Directors.