Overwatch Report

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] COVID-19

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Kathleen MacLellan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Frank Fahy', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'}

Care Alliance Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Correspondence from 7 Nominating Bodies of the Administrative Panel seeking the nomination of John Dolan, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, to Seanad Eireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Threshold

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Correspondence from 7 Nominating Bodies of the Administrative Panel seeking the nomination of John Dolan, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, to Seanad Eireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Community] Request for support for the Make Way Day campaign

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': '1 Email was sent to all Wicklow County Councillors requesting support for a motion for Make Way Day'} {'name': 'Pat Kennedy', 'role': 'Councillor (Wicklow County Council)'} {'name': 'Barry Sweeny', 'role': 'Councillor (Donegal County Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Waldron', 'role': 'Councillor (Roscommon County Council)'} {'name': 'Finola Armstrong-McGuire', 'role': 'Councillor (Leitrim County Council)'} {'name': 'William Aird', 'role': 'Councillor (Laois County Council)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] HSE 1% efficiency cut to disability services and wider funding crisis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] COVID-19

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Local Authority Members', 'role': '1 Email was sent to all Local Authorities on 27/05/20 encouraging them to actively consult with people with disabilities and relevant organisations to ensure the requirements of the UN CRPD & Public Sector Duty were adhered to in the planning for the re-opening of towns and cities post COVID-19.'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': "1 Email was sent to all Councillors on 31/08/20 encouraging them to continue to consult with people with disabilities and relevant organisations to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are adhered to as Local Authorities develop their 'Interim Mobility Plans'."} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 30 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Programme for Government 2020

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Email sent on 06/06/20 by the Members of the ODG to all Oireachtas Members calling for expressions of interest to be part of & work with the ODG'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Letter sent via mass mailout on 07/05/20 to all Oireachtas Members regarding the Programme for Government & Disability Inclusion'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Letter sent via mass mailout on 19/06/20 to all Councillors / Local Authority Members regarding the draft Programme for Government and seeking for further key disability areas to be included in the final programme.\n\nSuch as: \n- Appointment of a Junior Minister for Disability within the Department of An Taoiseach\n- Commitments to resolve the growing deficits of €40 million across disability servies\n- An Assistive Technology Passport\n- A €20 increase in the Disability Allowance pending the results of the Cost of Disability research.\n- Establishing a Transport Support Scheme.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Letter sent via mass mailout on 12/06/20 by the members of the ODG to all Oireachtas Members regarding the rumoured funding cut to the disability sector as part of the Next Programme for Government as reported by the Irish Examiner, seeking for all TDs & Senators to commit to: \n\n- Address the pre pandemic €40 million deficit in disability services and additional losses of income due to COVID-19.\n- Create a pathway to residential access for people being supported by elderly families.\n- Put Personal Assistance Services on a statutory footing and double the current quantum of PA hours to support people to live independently in their local communities outside of nursing homes and residential care settings.\nPublish the Capacity Review into Disability Services and use this to address unmet need.\n- Provide funding to implement the UN CRPD, appoint a Junior Minister within the Department of An Taoiseach and establish a Joint Oireachtas Committee to co-ordinate implementation.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Letter sent via mass mailout on 19/06/20 to all Oireachtas Members regarding the draft Programme for Government and seeking for further key disability areas to be included in the final programme.\n\nSuch as: \n- Appointment of a Junior Minister for Disability within the Department of An Taoiseach\n- Commitments to resolve the growing deficits of €40 million across disability servies\n- An Assistive Technology Passport\n- A €20 increase in the Disability Allowance pending the results of the Cost of Disability research.\n- Establishing a Transport Support Scheme.'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 20 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Correspondence from 7 Nominating Bodies of the Administrative Panel seeking nomination of John Dolan, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, to Seanad Eireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Joint submission by AHEAD & DFI on the 'Calculated Grade Process for Leaving Certificate 2020 - Ensuring Fairness for Students with Disabilities'

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[EU Affairs] European Disability Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 7 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Submission on Action 16 of the 'Our Public Service 2020' Reform Framework

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Aidan O'Driscoll", 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Justice and Equality)'}

Threshold

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Correspondence from 7 Nominating Bodies of the Administrative Panel seeking nomination of John Dolan, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, to Seanad Eireann

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Submissions on Departmental Statements of Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Fraser', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Fergal Lynch', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Oonagh McPhillips', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Katherine Licken', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Graham Doyle', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Social Protection)'} + 4 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Community] Request for support for the Make Way Day campaign

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anthony Waldron', 'role': 'Councillor (Roscommon County Council)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Budgetary matters] DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2021

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': '1 Email sent to all Councillors on 18/09/20 including a copy of the DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2021 & short video address from Dr Joanne McCarthy'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': '1 Email sent to all Senators on 18/09/20 including a copy of the DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2021 & short video address from Dr Joanne McCarthy'} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': '1 Email sent to all TDs on 18/09/20 including a copy of the DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2021 & short video address from Dr Joanne McCarthy'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG, Pre-Budget Submission 2021

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '1 Email sent to all Oireachtas members on 29/09/20 from the ODG Community & Voluntary organisations including a copy of the ODG Pre-Budget submission 2021'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Submission to the public consultation on the Review of the Child Care Act 1991

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Fergal Lynch', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Dermot Ryan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Michelle Shannon', 'role': 'Director (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': "Jerry O'Connor", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Patricia Ryan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} + 4 more

Ability West

September–December

[Housing] Requested Minister to meet with Ability West, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland (Galway Region), Proactive Carers Group (Galway) and Disability Federation of Ireland to discuss a research opportunity with NUIG re. rights & access to housing/residential placements for people with intellectual disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Meeting with Mary Lou McDonald TD & Pauline Tully TD

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pauline Tully', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Paul Phelan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pauline Tully', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 6 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] EAPN Ireland report on Health Inequality

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Call for re-establishment of mechanisms for the disability sector to engage with the Government on COVID-19

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen MacLellan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peter Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 11 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Transport] Lack of accessible transport for people with disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': '1 Cork radio interview to raise awareness on need to make Cork City to West Cork bus route accessible\n\nNote: target of mass communication were Cork City & County Councillors'} {'name': 'Shane Ross', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Local Government] Outlining the need for improvement related to inclusive and accessible Education, Employment, Transport, Housing for people with disabilities in Meath

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': '1 radio interview with LMFM\n\nNote: Target of mass communication were all Meath Councillors'} {'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': '2-5 social media posts targeted at all Meath Coouncillors\n\nNote: Target of mass communications were all Meath Councillors'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Health] Personal Assistant Services for people with disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Social Protection] Tweet link to Irish Examiner opinion piece on rising number of people on Disability Allowance and difficulties in getting payment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Community] Campaign to get candidates for the Local & EU Elections in May 2019 to make disability a top priority

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': '2-5 print media interviews \n\n6-10 radio interviews\n\nNote: also target of these mass communications are all local & EU election candidates, some of whom are existing Councillors and MEPs'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': '6-10 emails to DFI and umbrella organisations and disability advocates promoting the campaign and inviting them to get involved'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': '2-5 events with DFI umbrella organisations and disability advocates promoting the campaign and inviting them to get involved'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': '2-5 co-organised Q&A events with local election candidates across various local authority areas'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': '6-10 events attended with local / EU candidates in various constituencies - we asked them how they plan to represent on representing people with disabilities'} + 10 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Community] Opportunities for DFI to support Departmental Implementation of the UN CRPD

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Philip O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Damien O'Farrell", 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Jackie Maguire', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Meath County Council)'} + 9 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Housing] Housing Adaptation Grant

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Eoghan Murphy', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs