The new chief executive of Rehab has promised to rebuild trust in the organisation following damaging revelations over executive pay.
The disability group’s image has been battered after it emerged that former chief executive Angela Kerins received a €240,000 salary, while more than €400,000 in consultancy fees was paid to former board member Frank Flannery over seven years.
Rehab yesterday announced that Mo Flynn, currently the chief executive of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services in Harold’s Cross and Blackrock in Dublin, will take up her appointment in January.
Ms Flynn will receive a salary of €140,000. In addition, Rehab says it will cut the salaries of a range of executives by an average of 18.5 per cent. Chairman of Rehab Seán Egan said all salaries would be below that of the new chief executive and bonus arrangements have been terminated. In addition, all salaries in Rehab above €65,000 will in future be published annually, along with management expenses. However, the group says that, for legal reasons, it cannot release further details of the pay or pension arrangements of former chief executives Ms Kerins or Mr Flannery.
Charitable donations to the organisation have fallen by almost 15 per cent over the recent controversy-laden months.
“I think the big challenge is to make sure we focus on the soul of Rehab,” said Ms Flynn. “This is an organisation that was set up to ensure people with disabilities have real opportunities to live their lives in a fulfilling way.
“It’s time to get the focus back on what people in Rehab really do. There is fantastic work taking place by great people.”
Announcing Ms Flynn’s appointment to the Rehab Group, Mr Egan said she had experience of providing quality services and leading innovation and strategic development.
Ms Flynn currently serves on the boards of Coru, the regulator for health and social care professionals, and the Irish Gerontological Society. She is a council member of the International Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology.
