Overwatch Report

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Planning the Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG work for 2019. ODG Membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Four disability organsiations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Not for Profit Association. Chair: Senator John Dolan, Vice Chair: Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '2-5 emails sent to all TDs & Senators inviting them to attend an ODG meeting'} {'name': 'Philip O’Callaghan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Draft Additional Protocol to the Aviedo Convention addressing the "human rights and dignity of persons with mental disorders"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jim Daly', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': '1 Dublin newspapers interview'} {'name': 'Social Media All Councillors', 'role': '1 social media post'}

National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Particpated on the Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG work for 2019. ODG Membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Four disability organsiations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Not for Profit Association. Chair: Senator John Dolan Vice Chair: Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Senator John Dolan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Deputy Caoimhghin O Caolain (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG, Budget 2020 asks for funding for UN CRPD implementation (long submission and short infographic produced). ODG membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Five Disability Organisations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Ireland, Not for Profit Association, Independent Living Movement Ireland. Chair: Senator Dolan. Vice Chair: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "2-5 emails were sent to all TDs and Senators inviting input into the ODG budget submission. This was also sent to Philip O'Callaghan, Special Adviser to the Taoiseach"} {'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Hardcopies of the ODG Budget 2020 infographic and long submission were sent to all TDs & Senators'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Softcopies of the ODG Budget 2020 infographic and long submission were sent to all TDs & Senators'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2020

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '1 event, the National Economic Dialogue, was attended, upon invitation, by DFI. And interventions were made at this event hosted by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform. \n\nThis meeting was variously attended by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, An Taoiseach, Secretaries Generals, Ministers, Ministers of State and other Members of the Oireachtas.'} {'name': 'Letter All Senators', 'role': '1 cover letter with an enclosed copy of the DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2020 was sent to all Senators end of August 2019'} {'name': 'Submission All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '1 submission co-written with other members of the C&V Pillar was submitted to the National Economic Dialogue'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Shane Ross', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Employment] CHAT (Community Hub for Assistive Technology)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Housing] Submission outlining lack of appropriate housing for people with disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Bailey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mick Barry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Casey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mattie McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 6 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Local Government] Ensuring the use of the secured funding for Snave Pier in Bantry, County Cork, to make it more accessible.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Danny Collins', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork County Council)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Community] Spoke to Minister Michael Ring about making Castlebar an Autism friendly Community

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Ring', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[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': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': '6-10 co-organised Q&A events with local election candidates across various local authority areas'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All MEPs', 'role': '3-5 events with EU election candidates in various constituencies and asked how they plan to represent people with disabilities'} {'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': '1 event with DFI and umbrella organisations and disability advocates promoting the campaign and inviting them to get involved'} {'name': 'Social Media All MEPs', 'role': '27 Tweets with each one tagging an individual EU candidate'} + 3 more

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 sent to all Councillors encouraging them to pass a motion for the adoption of an annual local Make Way Day and to take part in Make Way Day 2019'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Community] Community Participation Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Shane Ross', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Allow Us Learn Campaign regarding the withdrawal of the Rehabilitative Training Allowance

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Health] Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Department of Health document "Report of the Independent Review Group established to examine the role of voluntary organisations in public funded health and personal social services"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Margaret Murphy O'Mahony", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kate O'Connell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Submission to the Budgetary Oversight Committee on Budget Proofing

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Bailey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Declan Breathnach', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Brophy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tommy Broughan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joan Burton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Opportunities for DFI to support Departmental implementation of the UN CRPD

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Carol Baxter', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Jim Breslin', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Budgetary matters] DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2020

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All TDs', 'role': '1 cover letter with an enclosed copy of the DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2020 was sent to all TDs beginning of September 2019'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Local Government] Making Castlebar an Autism Friendly Community

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ger Deere', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Michael Kilcoyne', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Blackie Gavin', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG, Budget 2020 asks for funding for UN CRPD implementation (long submission and short infographic produced). ODG membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Five Disability Organisations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Ireland, Not for Profit Association, Independent Living Movement Ireland. Chair: Senator John Dolan. Vice Chair: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Buckley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mattie McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Local Government] To inform Councillors county by county of the high level disability statistics in their county with view to supporting their work.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': 'The Senator is in process of attending meetings of every local authority, presenting infographics on statistics relating to people with disabilities outlining the overall national situation and that relating to their own local authority / county areas. And engaging then directly with councillors as required. \n\nLocal Authority meeting attended in the return period: \n\n- Waterford County Council\n- Galway City Council\n\nThe Senator distributed an infographic with collated national statistics at these meetings.'} {'name': 'Informal communication All Councillors', 'role': 'The Senator sent text messages to all Councillors in Waterford County Council & Galway City Council ahead of the meeetings otulined above.'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Community] Purple Lights Campaign 2019 - DFI supported a grassroots advocacy campaign to get public buildings to light up in purple to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mike Cubbard', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

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

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Anthony Waldron', 'role': 'Councillor (Roscommon County Council)'} {'name': 'Mike Cubbard', 'role': 'Councillor (Galway City Council)'}

AONTAS

September–December

[Education and Training] Letter sent to Minister of State for Disability Issues, Minister of Health, Minister of Finance, and members of the Joint Committees of Health, and Education and Skills. Letter was sent by AONTAS Advocacy Lead on behalf of campaign partner organisations AONTAS, Rehab Group, Inclusion Ireland, Central Remedial Clinic, Irish Wheelchair Association, Disability Federation of Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernard Durkan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 18 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

September–December

[Local Government] Invitation to all newly elected Mayors, Lord Mayors, and Cathaoirligh of Local Authority areas to brief them on disability issues

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Letter All Councillors', 'role': 'Letter of invite issued to the newly elected Mayors, Lord Mayors and Cathaoirligh to a reception in Leinster House called "the local authority - champion for disability inclusion".'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': 'Reception for newly elected Mayors, Lord Mayors and Cathaoirligh in Leinster House called "the local authority - champion for disability inclusion". \n\nHosted in Leinster House with open door to TDs and Senators.'}

National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Oireachtas Disability Group, ODG, Budget 2020 asks for funding for UN CRPD implementation (long submission and short infographic produced). ODG membership is open to all Oireachtas Members. Five Disability Organisations are also members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Ireland, Not for Profit Association, Independent Living Movement Ireland. Chair: Senator John Dolan. Vice Chair: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Former DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Dolan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Charles Flanagan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat Buckley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[EU Affairs] Inclusion of people with disabilities in the policies, programmes, initiatives and laws of the EU.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Colette Kelleher', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 24 more

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Inclusion of people with disabilities in the work of Oireachtas Members.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Caoimghin O'Caolain (Former DPO)", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': '3-5 bulk emails sent to all TDs inviting them to the meeting / event'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': '3-5 bulk emails sent to all Senators inviting them to the meeting / event'}

Disability Federation of Ireland

January–April

[Justice and Equality] Consideration of people with disabilities and support services relating to GDPR.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs