Overwatch Report

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Social Protection] DSI correspondence seeking meeting to discuss relevant issues across the lifepan for people with Down syndrome – areas include: Speech & Language Therapy & Early Intervention Strategies, Health Care; Respite, Individual Advocacy, July Provision, education resources, Post Secondary School and Pre Employment, adjusting of the wage subsidy scheme, Individualised / Personalised Funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Health] Correspondence seeking to meet with Minister for Health Simon Harris to discuss Personalised Budgets demonstration projects

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Employment] Meeting outlined barriers facing children and adults with Down syndrome in the areas of education and employment. We also highlighted the issues facing our members and their families due to long HSE waiting lists.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

January–April

[Employment] Increasing Employment Opportunities for adults with Down syndrome

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

January–April

[Employment] Make Work Pay consultation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Employment] The funding of Down Syndrome Ireland adult education programme from the Department of Higher Education

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Employment] Securing funding / support for Down Syndrome Ireland's adult training and education programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerry Maguire', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] July Provision for children with Down syndrome

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niamh Smyth', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Health] The task force on Personalised Budgets issued a report in July 2018 recommending a 2 year pilot project. Kerry Branch of DSI wishes to be considered as one of the entities to undertake such pilot project.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan Griffin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brendan Griffin', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'} {'name': 'John Brassil', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Ferris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Ned O'Sullivan", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mark Daly', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] The funding of DSI adult education programme from the Department of Higher Education

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Reaction to National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Campaign to have the ECCE overage exemption reinstated by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. In Nov 2017, PIP announced the removal of the exemption for children with disabilities without any consultation with stakeholders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Highlight the issues of our members and the priorities for Down Syndrome Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Health] Appealing against a 60% cut in funding for a vital early intervention programme for children with Down syndrome in Louth Meath

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Mass communication to all All Oireachtas members in the Dail consistencies in Louth and Meath'} {'name': 'Gerry Adams', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Imelda Munster', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peter Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Education and Training] Expedite building of new school, St Patrick's Special School

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Michael D’Arcy', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Mick Wallace', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Paul Kehoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Inclusion Ireland

January–April

[Health] Inviting Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath to the Inclusion Ireland and Down Syndrome Ireland event on personalised budgets in the Gibson Hotel on Monday, May 30th from 10.00am-1.00pm.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Education and Training] Requesting 5 year funding so the pilot Walk would be continued in Louth

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'John Halligan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} + 14 more

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Employment] Requesting 5 year funding so the pilot Walk would be continued in Louth

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''} {'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'John Halligan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} + 14 more

Down Syndrome Ireland

January–April

[Health] 60% HSE Grant Cut for Early Intervention Progamme managed by Down Syndrome Ireland Louth/Meath Branch

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Reilly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Peter Fitzpatrick', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gerry Adams', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Health] Meningitis B vaccination to be extended to infants deemed medically at risk

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dr Tony Holohan', 'role': 'Chief Medical Officer (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

January–April

[Health] Homeless Policies and Procedures for Persons with Disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Lynch', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'John Lyons', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Health] Lottery Grant Funding Application

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Lynch', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Health] Department of Health's Establishment of Taskforce on Personal Budgets

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Down Syndrome Ireland

May–August

[Health] Department of Health's Establishment of Taskforce on Personal Budgets

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Health] Lack of Access to General Anaestethic Services for Dental Treatment of Patients with Special Needs

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Health] Lack of Access to General Anaestethic Services for Dental Treatment of Patients with Special Needs

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Health] Lottery Grant Funding Application

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerry Maguire', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Calling on Irish Government to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mairead McGuinness', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Calling on Irish Government to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Calling on Irish Government to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'John Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs