The Board consists of eight Directors, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. As the Centre is a joint north/south initiative, both Department of Education and Skills, Ireland and Department of Education NI are each responsible for appointing four Directors to the Board. The Chairperson and/or Vice Chairperson are appointed on an alternating basis by the two Departments. During the current term of the board commencing 1st April 2021 until 15th March 2024, DES is responsible for appointing a Chairperson and DE is responsible for appointing a Vice Chairperson.

Mrs Sheila Darling – Chairperson

Sheila Darling is the former principal of St Mary’s High School, Downpatrick and has over forty years’ experience working in the field of education, in UK, Eire and NI.  She retired from her post as principal of St Mary’s High School, Downpatrick in 2019 but has remained actively involved in educational matters since. She was Chair of the Governing body for De La Salle High School for three years up until August 2024. 

She worked as a member of the interim Board of Governors for Lecale Trinity Grammar, 2023-2024 in partnership with CCMS, De La Salle Trustees and DENI to plan and secure the opening of the new school. The Lecale Trinity Grammar School Downpatrick opened its doors to new pupils in September 2024. Sheila volunteers with several community groups including The Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT). She is a member of Lislea Drama Society assisting with the planning and delivery of the annual drama festival.

Mr Jim Mulkerrins – Vice Chair

Jim Mulkerrins is a former Principal Officer in the Department of Education (Special Education and Teacher Education Sections). Jim has demonstrated significant expertise in Special Education and Autism service delivery and policy and outlined significant achievements in implementing significant change and reform to SEN policy. Jim has chaired numerous working groups and steering groups and has significant experience in delivery of cross sectoral projects working with the HSE, Department of Health and Department of Children at senior level. Jim was formally responsible for the departmental oversight of Middletown Centre for Autism.

Mrs Dervla Tierney

Dervla Tierney is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Directors. Dervla has specific knowledge and experience in Finance, Corporate Governance, Compliance and Risk Management. Dervla is an Independent Non-Executive Director of The Housing Agency in Ireland which supports the delivery of social and affordable housing by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, and works closely with the Department of Housing in the development and implementation of housing policy. Dervla is Chair of the Housing Agency's Audit and Risk Committee. She has previously held senior positions in CRH plc and KPMG. Dervla serves on the Board of Management of Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy and the Credit Committee of Enniscorthy Credit Union.

Mr John Murphy

Having been a teacher in a number of schools for two decades, John Murphy served as a Divisional (Senior) Inspector in the DE Inspectorate for twenty years. John has demonstrated significant expertise in the area of Special Education, Autism and Teacher Education. John was a member of the OECD Special Education Committee, an NCSE council member and a member of the NCSE Research Committee. He was a member of the team responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of the Middletown Centre for Autism advice and support service pilot in Ireland. John acts as advisor to specialist teams in the NCSE and is a part-time lecturer in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. He served on the board of directors of Middletown Centre for Autism from 2022 and in that role, he acted as chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee and is a member of the Service Planning and Assurance Committee.

Mrs Kim Scott MBE

Kim Scott MBE is a former Assistant Director in the Education Authority. She has extensive experience in School Improvement, Strategic Area Planning, Community Planning, School Governance, Teacher Professional Learning and Development, and Special Education.

Kim is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, and has over thirty years’ experience working in Education, beginning her career as a teacher in a post primary school. She is passionate about education and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this area.

Kim currently holds two other public appointments, as a member of the Governing Body of Stranmillis College for which she receives no remuneration, and as a non-legal panel member for the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal for which she receives numeration.

She was awarded an MBE for Services to Education in December 2023.

Mrs Maeve Marnell

Maeve Marnell is a former solicitor with extensive experience in the non-profit sector with a particular focus on education and justice.

She is the co-founder and Trustee of Food for Thought Africa, a charity that focuses on alleviating poverty in Africa through education, feeding programs, and scholarships. She chaired the Board of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, a non-departmental public body established to promote, support and grow Integrated Education in Northern Ireland, and she also serves on the Board of Christian Aid Ireland where she Chairs their Income Finance Risk and Audit Committee.

In addition, Maeve serves as an Independent Assessor for the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland, where she plays a key role in recruitment and selection processes.

Miss Colette Deery

Colette Deery is a Vice Principal at Edmund Rice College. She gained extensive experience working with young people with special educational needs and supporting their families as the school’s Learning Support Coordinator for 10 years. Colette has spearheaded the creation of an inclusive specialist support model in her school which has been recognised as a model of best practice by the Education Training Inspectorate. Colette has previously held the post of Head of Community at Edmund Rice College and as part of her outreach work, aligned with her passion for supporting autistic young people, she successfully applied for funding to create a teenage youth club for the neurodiverse community in Glengormley – a first of its kind in the area. She chaired the Newtownabbey Area Learning Community SEN sub-group for 3 years, liaising with 12 different schools to address SEN matters arising throughout the academic year. Ain her time as LSC, she managed the school’s SEND budget and was direct Line Manager to over 50 staff. She continues to have oversight in SEN as Vice Principal and is responsible for coordinating Teacher Professional Development in the school; including managing the school’s TPL budget. She demonstrates expertise in managing finance budgets, personnel and employee relations. She is a member of the MCA Finance & Personnel sub-committee.

Mr Andrew Magowan

As a qualified solicitor since 1998, Andrew’s entire career has been about legal risk and reputation management and governance, having been General Counsel/Legal Director and Company Secretary of businesses ranging from oil and gas helicopter services provider Bristow Group to online fashion retailer ASOS, to 325-year old fine wine & spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd. He is currently a Client Legal Director for The Legal Director, a ‘new service’ law firm focused on enabling growing ambitious businesses to access flexibly and affordably the benefits of senior general counsel. Andrew is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, as well as a Parent Governor of Sperrinview Special School in Dungannon, and former Chair of the Barons Court Project, a small charity operating a homeless and mental health day centre in Hammersmith.

Dr Michael Culllinane

Michael Cullinane is a former Regional Director in the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). Michael has significant experience in supporting policy initiatives and service delivery to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). He has held liaison roles with various agencies and bodies to help build a more integrated approach to meeting the needs of vulnerable students. He has chaired interagency working groups to develop national guidelines for schools on supporting autistic students, in addition to students with SEN.

Michael previously worked as a primary teacher, learning support teacher, and is currently a Board Member of iScoil. He is also a member of MCA’s Service Planning and Assurance Committee (SPAC).

Dr Finn Ó Murchú

Finn was a Post-Primary Teacher before becoming a Senior Inspector for Special Educational Needs and then Head of School at Mary Immaculate College’s post-primary teacher preparation college, Thurles. He has chaired many subcommittees including most recently the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Level 1 and 2 Senior Cycle Redevelopment whilst also being a member of the NCCA. He is currently Chair of the Oversight and Advisory Group for the Autism Innovation Strategy in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. He also sits on the National Council for Special Education Advisory Forum and acts as an Advisor to the NCSE. Finn’s PhD was in the area of inclusive education with specific reference to team teaching and he continues to work with schools and organisations in the area of inclusive education and educational leadership.

Time commitment

The Chairperson and Directors are expected to make the commitment of time necessary to fulfil their role on the Board and any associated committees. They are expected to attend board meetings, committee meetings and other events, including any evening meetings and public occasions. The Board normally meets every six weeks, and its committees meet at regular intervals throughout the year and, factoring in the need for attendance at other events, including any evening meetings and public occasions, the expected time commitment is equivalent to:

  • approximately 2-3 days per month for the Chairperson; and

  • 1-2 days per month for Directors.

Board meetings and committee meetings are normally held during business hours.

Remuneration

The remuneration of the Chairperson is based on a daily rate of £230 (or Euro equivalent), Vice Chair £200, and Directors on a daily rate of £160 (or Euro equivalent), plus relevant travel expenses, based on DPER or NICS Civil Service rates. The posts of Chairperson and Directors are non-pensionable.