The PSA has welcomed today’s news of the appointment of Debbie Power - currently statutory deputy State Services Commissioner and chief executive at the State Services Commission - to the role of chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development from February 2019.

"Debbie Power’s career in the public service is a great demonstration of going full circle and taking up leadership opportunities", says Glenn Barclay, PSA national secretary.

"Her extensive and comprehensive experience bodes well for MSD - from starting her career in 1980 on the frontline of the then Department of Social Welfare as a case manager through to being a deputy chief executive at MSD from 2012 to 2015 and now moving back to MSD as the chief executive.

"It is also a positive signal that Debbie Power’s appointment will help towards bringing an equal gender balance across core public service chief executive positions. The significance of this includes the fact that women constitute up to 68% of the public sector workforce, and more than 70% of the PSA’s membership.

"The MSD workforce of almost 7000 staff need and deserve effective leadership. We wish Debbie Power well for the challenges ahead, and also acknowledge the leadership that outgoing chief executive Brendan Boyle has consistently provided across major changes at MSD since 2011."

ENDS

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