Breda Burke

Breda Burke is a Principal Officer and Head of HR Services in the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.  Breda joined the civil service as a clerical officer over 30 years ago, starting her career in the Department of Social Protection before moving to the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.  Breda’s career has progressed through corporate and procedural units, including as Head of Legislative Services, Secretary to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, Committee Clerk, Procurement Officer and Private Secretary to the Ceann Comhairle and Training Officer.  Her development and experience in these roles has given her extensive leadership experience and strategic insight into developing the Service into an inclusive workplace and an employer of choice. In her current role as Head of HR, Breda has been instrumental in progressing the Houses of the Oireachtas Service values of being an inclusive and people-focused workplace.  Under her leadership, the Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme, has continued to grow and to date has supported 37 young adults with an intellectual disability in accessing training and employment across the Oireachtas and a number of government departments. Away from work, Breda has a busy family life and likes to spend time playing badminton, reading and walking.