Tuesday, 17th September 2014
- Ms Helen Guinan appointed chairperson-designate of the National Disability Authority.
Helen Guinan is a person of exceptional ability and integrity, she has vast experience in the area of disability policy and will make an excellent chairperson of the National Disability Authority. Ms Guinan’s experience, as a principal of a large school for people with disabilities and at a policy level make her an ideal candidate for this position.
At a national level Ms Guinan has been involved in policy development and with a number of organisations, including the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the National Council for Special Education and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies. Having both practical and policy experience Ms Guinan will be of great assistance to the National Disability Authority in advising Government and public bodies about the policy issues that affect people with disabilities.
I have known Ms Guinan for many years, both when she was principal of St Paul’s Special School in Cork and also through her involvement with the COPE Foundation. She has always been a great advocate for people with disabilities and I am sure that she will continue to be a strong advocate in her new role.
I would like to congratulate Ms Guinan on her appearance before the Oireachtas Justice Committee today and wish her every success in her new role as chairperson of the National Disability Authority.