Angela Kerins facts for kids

Angela Kerins (born in 1956) is an Irish business leader. She used to be the main boss, called the CEO, of the Rehab Group.

Early Life and Education

Angela MacCarthy was born in Waterford, Ireland in 1958. She grew up in two towns: Cashel and Tramore.

Angela went to secondary school at the Presentation Convent in Cashel. She first wanted to study architecture. But she was too young to start the course. So, Angela decided to train as a nurse instead. She studied at Orsett Hospital School of Nursing in Essex, United Kingdom. After that, she got more training to become a midwife, who helps mothers and babies. While she was a student, Angela worked to get better pay for nurses in training.

Career Journey

Angela's parents asked her to come back to Ireland. She worked at the Meath Hospital in Dublin. Later, she moved to the United Arab Emirates. There, she worked in different medical areas. These included helping people in emergencies, treating cancer, and caring for very sick patients. After that, Angela moved to Dhahran in Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, she managed a special center that helps people recover from injuries or illnesses.

When Angela returned to Ireland, she joined many important groups. She was on the Board of the National Council for the Elderly. She also led the Women's Political Association. She was the leader for the European Year of People with Disabilities in 2003. Angela also chaired the Equality Authority from 2007 to 2012. This group works to make sure everyone is treated fairly. She was also part of the National Rehabilitation Board. Through this board, she met Frank Flannery from The Rehab Group.

Leading the Rehab Group

Angela Kerins started working at the Rehab Group in 1991. This group helps people with disabilities and those who are disadvantaged. She became the Director of Public Affairs and Group Development. In 1995, she created RehabCare. This part of the group focuses on health and social care. Angela became its chief executive.

From 1996, she was the Rehab Group's representative at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This is a big international group that works on social and economic issues. In 1999, Angela became the first person to chair the National Disability Authority. This group works for people with disabilities in Ireland. In 2006, Angela Kerins was chosen to be the main boss, or chief executive, of the entire Rehab Group. She also served as the President of the European Platform for Rehabilitation for a time.

Angela was also a director for some companies in the UK that are now closed.

Public Questions and Resignation

On February 27, 2014, Angela Kerins was asked to speak to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The PAC is a group of politicians from Dáil Éireann, the Irish parliament. They check how public money is spent.

Angela resigned from her role as head of the Rehab Group on April 2, 2014. This happened during a time when there were questions about how much top managers were paid. There were also questions about how much money the Rehab Lottery was making. Angela was earning €240,000 each year. At first, she did not want to say what her salary was. The Rehab Group later shared this information after being asked many times. Some people said her salary was much higher than what other charity leaders were earning. Angela also said she resigned because she felt unsafe.

Court Case

In 2016, Angela Kerins started a court case against the PAC. She said that the questions they asked her were not fair. She also said they went beyond what they were allowed to ask. She first lost her case in the Irish High Court. But she then asked a higher court, the Supreme Court of Ireland, to review the decision.

On February 27, 2019, the Supreme Court decided in favor of Angela Kerins on some points. The court said that the PAC had gone too far. They had asked questions that were outside their official duties. The Supreme Court found that the PAC had not followed the rules. They had gone beyond what they were allowed to ask about Angela's pay and how three government-funded programs were managed by Rehab.

Awards

In 2003, Angela Kerins received a special award. She was given an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from University College Dublin. This is like getting a special degree without having to study for it.

Personal Life

Angela Kerins is married to Seán Kerins. They met at a party in Dublin. They have one daughter and one son. Angela used to be a member of a political party called Fianna Fáil.