Corporate Governance

Walking on Promenade - Mother and Daughter

Corporate Governance: Structure

Enable Ireland Disability Services Ltd is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. A non-executive Board of Directors is appointed in accordance with the organisation’s Memorandum & Articles of Association and Company Law to discharge corporate responsibilities. There are also specific responsibilities under the Health Act 2004, Disability Legislation 2005, and the forthcoming Charities Bill 2006. The primary focus of the Board of Enable Ireland is effective and efficient governance in compliance with statutory and legal obligations.

The objectives and powers of Enable Ireland are set out in the Memorandum & Articles of Association. These objectives and powers are the rules by which Enable Ireland is governed and managed by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors

Directors are appointed to the Board either at a General Meeting or through co-option by the Board. As stipulated under the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Board may contain stakeholder representation and also representation from The Adult Service Users’ Advocacy Group and the four Health Service Executive regions.

The Board, made up of the Chairman and Directors, has authority for and is accountable to the members and the stakeholders at large for ensuring that the organisation is appropriately managed and achieves the strategic objectives agreed by the Board.

The membership of the Board reflects the person centred ethos of the organisation, comprising members, service users, parents and business representatives.

The Board of Directors of Enable Ireland, whilst all volunteers, presents a balanced combination of stakeholders, volunteers and non-executive, business and professional individuals. Acting collectively they must ensure the organisation delivers what it was set up to achieve, upholds its values, remains solvent and is properly managed.

Current membership of Board of Directors of Enable Ireland.

European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model

Enable Ireland’s commitment to our core values is further demonstrated through our adoption of the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model. The EFQM Excellence Model is a non-prescriptive framework which encompasses all that we do. The adoption of the model supports the development of an environment where continuous learning, review and a strong emphasis on setting measurable results are integral to the way we govern Enable Ireland.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Enable Ireland recognises the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility and the role the organisation plays in the community. We have a stated objective to create and maintain long-term sustainable commitment to internal and external stakeholders alike and have adopted four key principles to support this objective: Corporate Governance & Risk Management, Health & Safety, Environment & Climate Change, and Social Performance & Inclusion.

Enable Ireland is committed to implementing policies and objectives specifically focused on:

  • Providing a healthy and safe working environment
  • Optimising use of energy and available resources
  • Application of equality and fairness in the organisation’s capacity as a direct and indirect employer, service provider and supplier
  • Advocating diversity
  • Ensuring employees respect their environmental, social community and health & safety responsibilities