The Medical Council engaged consultancy services costing over €500,000 in a manner “not fully aligned” with its procurement policies, it has said.
The Council paid over €500,000 to Empowering Leadership Ltd between late 2022 and mid-October 2024, according to records released to the Medical Independent (MI) under Freedom of Information (FoI) law.
The Medical Council stated that Empowering Leadership was engaged in November 2022 to provide interim Human Resources (HR) Director Services. It also provided project management for the “delivery of a new organisation design” and organisation development services.
The services were provided by HR expert Ms Yvonne Clancy, who was paid on an invoice basis through her company Empowering Leadership.
According to FoI records, the Council’s payments to Empowering Leadership amounted to €45,756 in 2022; €281,547 in 2023; and €195,139 between 1 January 2024 and 15 October 2024 (when MI submitted the FoI request).
“Ms Clancy was engaged [in 2022] as a consultant using a sole source justification, to provide HR expertise to the Medical Council,” said a Council spokesperson. “This included taking on the responsibilities of Interim Head of HR. The engagement was made with the intention of meeting urgent business needs of the organisation during that time (Interim Head of HR and other matters). This occurred during a significant period of change (including operational needs and projects central to a major organisation transformational project) within the Medical Council at the time.
“Over time, Ms Clancy’s role evolved as she undertook additional responsibilities. Ms Clancy did not receive any additional payment for her additional responsibilities upon undertaking the Interim Executive Director [of Organisational Development] role.”
The Council stated its procurement process for this engagement was “not fully aligned” with its established procurement policies. According to the Council, it operates on a basis of “continuous improvement, learning from our experiences, and will continue to review our procedures with our relevant stakeholders in line with public procurement requirements”.
On 19 September 2024, the Council issued a press release announcing Ms Clancy’s appointment as interim CEO following the departure of Mr Leo Kearns. The appointment was made after a “competitive internal selection process” and would “allow for an open recruitment process for a permanent CEO” to take place.
The Council informed MI that Ms Clancy received no additional payment for her period as interim CEO.
There is no suggestion that Ms Clancy had any involvement in the Council’s decision-making around the procurement of her services.
Ms Clancy’s contract with the Council finished at the end of 2024. It is understood she has taken up a new role elsewhere.
The Council spokesperson said Ms Clancy brought decades of relevant expertise to the organisation during a significant period of change. “She was a positive influence in her role and was instrumental in driving change for staff and stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, the recruitment process for a permanent CEO is at a “late stage”. Mr Ciarán Buggle, Executive Director for Complaints, Investigations and Fitness to Practise, is the current interim CEO.
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