Lobbying Act 2015
From the 1 January 2025 under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Designated Public Officials) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 424/2024) 62 public bodies will be classified as containing public service positions which are to be considered as Designated Public Officials (“DPO”) for the purposes of section 6(1)(f) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (No. 5 of 2015).
Tusla Designated Public Officials:
Chair of the Tusla Board – Madeleine Clarke
The Chairperson is responsible for leadership of the Board and ensuring its effectiveness as the governing body of the Agency, with authority to perform the functions of the Agency as outlined in the Child and Family Agency Act (2013).
The Board Members:
- Sean Holland, Deputy Chairperson
- Charles Watchorn
- Sean Quigley
- Teresa McDonnell
- Susan Bowman
- John McDaid
- John Redmond
- Catherine Bond
The Board is accountable for the management of the Agency and is strongly guided by the principles set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016).
The Board provides leadership and direction through its governance framework. The key relationships supporting the governance framework include the Board Committee structure, CEO, Executive Management Team, and the Minister and Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The functions of the Board are set out in Section 8 of the Agency’s governing legislation, the Child and Family Agency Act (2013). The Board is collectively responsible for establishing the Agency’s overall strategic direction within the limits of its statutory authority. The Board agrees the Agency’s strategic aims with the Minister and ensures optimal use of resources to meet its objectives.
Chief Executive - Kate Duggan
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tusla is responsible for all of the executive functions associated with the management and leadership of the agency.
The CEO is responsible for leading the Agency in all its day-to-day management decisions and for implementing the Agency’s long and short-term plans. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Tusla, who are Tusla’s governing body .The CEO acts as a direct liaison between the Board and management of the Agency and communicates to the Board on behalf of management. The Chief Executive Officer is also accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts and other Oireachtas committees under Sections 33 and 34 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013.
The Executive Management Team:
- National Director for Services & Integration – Gerry Hone
- National Director for Finance & Corporate Services – Pat Smyth
- National Director for People & Change – Rosarii Mannion
- National Director for Quality & Regulation – Anthony O’Leary
- Chief Information Officer – Fergus O’Cuanachain
The Executive Management Team are responsible for the day‑to‑day operations across services and support functions. Each member of the Executive Management Team reports to the Chief Executive Officer. Their roles are to oversee the management of the agency’s business, including Strategic & Operational Oversight, Performance Monitoring, Risk Management, Resource Allocation, Funding, Procurement and Governance.