Overwatch Report

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Social Protection] Pre-Budget Submission to Government Departments with a particular emphasis on social protection supports

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Kevin McCarthy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Education and Training] Engaged with NCSE on support for AsIAm Autism-Friendly Schools Programme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Kearney', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The National Council for Special Education)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Spoke at Thomas Johnson Summer School and met Sen Marie Sherlock

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Engaged with Minister Rabbitte's office on support for Autism Europe Congress 2025

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Engaged with Oireachtas Autism Committee and government on Joint Oireachtas Committee report on Autism and the need for an Autism Strategy Act

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Pauline Tully', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Pádraig O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Sports and Recreation] Cooperated with Senator Micheal Carrigy on an initiative to engage with Croke Park on Autism Friendly Measures

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Training initiative to making Leinster House accessible for Autistic members of the public

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'An initiative in cooperation with the House of the Oireachtas saw all TDs and Senators, and Oireachtas Staff, invited to a series of training events on making Leinster House more accessible for Autistic people'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'An initiative in cooperation with the House of the Oireachtas saw all TDs and Senators, and Oireachtas Staff, invited to a series of training events on making Leinster House more accessible for Autistic people'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Engaged with Minister Rabbitte's Office on a proposed scheme to improve access for AAC equipment for Autistic people

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Transport] Held an event to mark the launch "PrepareMe AsIAm for Public Transport" - a series of materials supporting Autistic people to access public transport, commissioned by the NTA

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Attended events associated with the European Parliament of Persons with Disability

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 1 more

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Wrote to a number of Ministers / Departments / Agencies on implementation of Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism Final Report

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} + 4 more

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Housing] Wrote to Minister O'Donnell on housing and disability issues

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Health] Wrote to Deputy Bacik on foot of Labour Party motion on Disabilty Services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Community] Promoted Autism-Friendly Communities initiative

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Daithí De Róiste', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

May–August

[Education and Training] Engaged with John Kearney on improved educational supports for Autistic students

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Kearney', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The National Council for Special Education)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Education and Training] Undertook an extensive campaign of engage to seek to influence proposed guidelines on the use of seclusion and restraint in education settings.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Education)'} {'name': 'John Kearney', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The National Council for Special Education)'} {'name': "Philip O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paul Kehoe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 3 more

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Following a recommendation by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism, and in the context of the HSE Children's Disability Grant Round, engaged with a number of key officials and decision makers on an AsIAm proposal to establish a number of one-stop-shops in Ireland

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] AsIAm is hosting the 14th Autism Europe Congress in the RDS in September 2025. This is a big opportunity for autism research, policy and practice in Ireland. We are seeking to secure government support and sponsorship for the event which will bring large numbers of people to Dublin

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Colm Ó Conaill', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Agreed to sit on a working group convened by Senator Ruane focused on a research programme on possible supports, including assessment, for Autistic and neurodivergent prisoners

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Attended the Sparkle for Autism Ball. Met Deputy Donnelly a number of days before the event, in passing, and then met him on the evening of the event where we had a brief discussion on the work of AsIAm

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] AsIAm operates an Autism-Friendly Towns Programme. In the context of this initiative we have been contacted by or worked with a number of public representatives who wish to bring the project to their locality, often with the support of the local authority. This engagement often includes supporting local authorities or DPOs on the specific actions which their community could take towards becoming an Autism-Friendly Town or Community

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Daithí De Róiste', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Marie Moloney', 'role': 'Councillor (Kerry County Council)'} {'name': 'Emma Cutlip', 'role': 'Councillor (Louth County council)'} {'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ger Deere', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} {'name': 'Donna Sheridan', 'role': 'Councillor (Mayo County Council)'} + 2 more

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Held a meeting between the Youth Leadership Team and Minister Rabbitte

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Continued to campaign for the full implementation of the Final Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism, including legislating for a National Autism Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} + 2 more

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Continued to engage with the Department and Minister's office on the progress of the Autism Innovation Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Engaged with relevant representatives and officials in the context of Committee Stage of the Private Members Bill

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Byrne', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Lynn Ruane', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Eileen Flynn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Engaged with Minister's office on the delivery of a programme on behalf of the HSE on the delivery of AAC devices to Autistic people

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Education and Training] Engaged with John Kearney on the Autism-Friendly Schools Programme which AsIAm delivers and which the NCSE has funded schools to participate in

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Kearney', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The National Council for Special Education)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Education and Training] Supported the Houses of the Oireachtas in the achievement of AsIAm Autism-Friendly Accreditation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Health] Engaged with Micheal Carrigy on a Commencement Matter relating to access to private services for those awaiting timely assessment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

September–December

[Education and Training] AsIam launched a report that examined the experiences of children of the primary school system, the research was carried out with ATU and with support from IHREC.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Pauline Tully', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Kearney', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (The National Council for Special Education)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs