How we are Governed

Member Organisations:  We have 54 member organisations 
 
General Assembly:  Each member organisation is represented by 2 people from their organisation at the National Federation General Assembly which meets on a quarterly basis 
 
Areas Federation Committees:  There are 5 Area Federation Committees:

• HSE Dublin & Midlands Area Federation Committee;
• HSE Dublin North East Area Federation Committee;
• HSE South West Area Federation Committee;
• HSE Dublin & South East Area Federation Committee; and
• HSE West, North West & Mid West Area Federation Committee.

Each Area Federation Committee is made up of representatives from member organisations in the area/region where they provide services.    

Board of Directors:  In accordance with our Constitution, the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers arranges for the election of its Board of Directors as follows:

Each Area Federation Committee has the power to elect two directors to the Board and which currently are as follows:

• HSE Dublin & Midlands: Deirdre Murphy (Kare) & Breda O'Neill (IRL-IASD)
• HSE Dublin North East: Liz Reynolds (St Michael’s House) & Vacancy
• HSE South West: Michael Hegarty (St Joseph’s Foundation) & Una Nagle, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland South 
• HSE Dublin & South East: Annette Ryan (Aurora) & Fiona O'Neill (WIDA)
• HSE West, North West & Mid West:  Michael Hennessy (Brothers of Charity Service Ireland) & Julie Silke Daly (Ability West)

The above Directors have the power to nominate up to 5 co-options, however, one must come from each of the following geographical areas: HSE Dublin North East; HSE Dublin & Midlands and HSE West, North West & Mid West.

The current co-options to the Board are as follows:

• HSE Dublin North East:  Grainne Sexton, Gheel 
• HSE Dublin & Midlands:  Mr Joe Mason (Walk)
• HSE West, North West & Mid West: Vacancy 

The Board elects a Chairperson every two years.  Michael Hennessy, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is the current chair, elected in September 2024. The Vice Chair is Fiona O'Neill, Chief Executive of Waterford Intellectual Disability Association. The Board is responsible for the governance of the National Federation in accordance with its Constitution and directs the National Federation's work programme.  In terms of the financial management of the National Federation the Board has in place a Finance, Audit and Risk Sub Committee to oversee this task.