The directors of Dublin Simon Community will resign following a no-confidence vote during an extraordinary general meeting last week, it has been confirmed.
The organisation, which receives annual State funding of about € 3 million, has been riven with internal difficulties following the board's decision to dismiss its chief executive, Mr Greg Maxwell, last summer. The five-member board met yesterday and said an election of a new board was the best way forward.
Elections will be held at an a.g.m. on March 31st at which some of outgoing directors may stand for re-election.
Board member Mr Tony Bateman said: "This will provide stability to management, staff and volunteers in their daily efforts to effectively address the issue of homelessness in Dublin. Naturally the current board is very disappointed with the outcome of the recent e.g.m. That said, we wholeheartedly stand over our original decision."
Mr Maxwell, meanwhile, will seek reinstatement as chief executive at a hearing before the Employment Appeals Tribunal this month. An internal document circulated among Dublin Simon members, seen by The Irish Times, shows that Mr Maxwell was told at the time of his dismissal that he "did not have the set of skills and expertise suited to the organisation of Dublin Simon Community to carry it forward over the next number of years".
The current board says the organisation has been re-invigorated in recent months, with changes in its "top-heavy" structure", and is raising record funds.
Supporters of Mr Maxwell, however, say the organisation expanded and flourished since 1995 under his leadership and they want him reinstated if the tribunal finds he was unfairly dismissed.