Bernie McNally named Department of Education secretary general

Bernie McNally has been named as the new secretary general at the Department of Education.

Ms McNally is serving as assistant secretary at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, where she has responsibility for the disability and youth division. She will start in the post next week.

She takes over from Seán Ó Foghlú, who will complete his 10-year term of office as secretary general at the Department of Education this week.

Over the course of her career in the civil and public service, Ms McNally has worked in several departments and offices, including in the Department of Health and as director of the Office of the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, as well as in the health services.

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In her earlier career she worked as an occupational therapist and was later a director of therapy and social work services at St James’s Hospital, Dublin.

She also worked as an adviser in the Department of Health from 2004 to 2008.

She has a BSc and MSc from Trinity College Dublin and completed a graduate leadership programme with the University of Limerick and Office for Health Management.

Leadership qualities

Minister for Education Norma Foley expressed her satisfaction at the appointment.

“This is a vitally important role in the education sector, providing leadership to meet the challenges that we face in delivering a high-quality education system to all, from children in early years settings through our students’ journeys in primary and post-primary education,” said Ms Foley.

“The secretary general’s leadership is pivotal in ensuring the achievement of our ambitions . . . and I am confident that Bernie will excel in this task.”

Ms Foley also paid tribute to Mr Ó Foghlú, whose stewardship of the department had been “exemplary” and was crucial to delivering the supports required to our school system.

“I would like to thank him wholeheartedly for his commitment and dedication to his role throughout his term of office,” she said.

Ms Foley said that as secretary general of the department, Ms McNally will lead a team of “public servants delivering on our vision of an education system where every child and young person feels valued . . . nurtured to reach their full potential. I wish her every success in this role and look forward to working closely with her to achieve this vision.”

Ms McNally was appointed following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service and the Top Level Appointments Committee.