Extern Ireland Annual Report 2009

Chairman's Message

It gives me great pleasure to present the Annual Report 2009 for Extern Ireland.

Despite the economic challenges we currently face Extern Ireland has been able to expand its services in Limerick City with an enhanced provision from January 2010 as a result of Limerick Regeneration funding. The Board were extremely disappointed at the closure in May of Treo Nua, our intensive fostering service, despite the best efforts of our managers and staff.

We have continued to improve our corporate governance.We now have two new committees of the Board namely Remuneration and Nominations. The Board also has begun annual formal review processes of its performance.

During the year the Board has been working on a reconfiguration of senior staff in the organisation. A key directive for this was to establish a designated senior post for our services based in ROI. This reflects the growing nature of our operations in this jurisdiction and our wish to ensure we are effectively leading and managing our current and future activities in all the regions where our services are provided. It has been an extremely difficult and challenging process for the Board, the CEO and those Directors, Managers and staff impacted by our decisions.

The many challenges we continue to face make demands on all of our staff whose commitment is inspiring. On behalf of the Board of Extern Ireland I would like to thank Liz Cuddy, Chief Executive, her Senior Management Team and all the staff and volunteers for their motivation and enthusiasm for the important work that Extern does.

Poignantly I would advise that my term of office as Chair draws to a close in September 2010. I am pleased to have seen so much positive development within Extern Ireland during my involvement with the charity. I am delighted and very proud to have had some small part in this development process and I take this opportunity to wish Extern Ireland every success in the future. 

David Watters
Chair