Overwatch Report

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] Letter to Minister Dara Calleary to congratulate him on his appointment as Minister for Social Protection and to provide background to the work of FODO Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] Letter to Minister Carroll MacNeill to congratulate her on her appointment as Minister for Health, introduce and provide background to FODO Ireland, reference the previous commitment by Stephen Donnelly to increase optical fees, and express willingness to engage with the Department on these matters.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] FODO Ireland Board member, Clodagh McGovern, attended a breakfast event with Minister McGrath on 25 April 2024, where she briefed the Minister on issues related to eye care and the need for increased funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] Letter to Robert Watt for support to include FODO Ireland as the major representative organisations for eye care providers, in all Department of Health matters related to eye care.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Robert Watt', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Health)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] Letter to John McKeon for support to include FODO Ireland as the major representative organisations for eye care providers, in all Department of Social Protection matters related to eye care.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Social Protection)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

May–August

[Health] FODO Ireland member practices wrote to DPOs to invite them to visit their optical practices to discuss and showcase eye care in their communities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Conway', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} + 2 more

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

May–August

[Health] FODO Ireland Board member, Clodagh McGovern, attended an event with Minister Chambers, where she briefed the Minister on issues related to eye care and the need for increased funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Lisa Chambers', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Dara Calleary', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

FODO Ireland

September–December

[Health] Clinical pathways (optics); Professional development (training and education).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Lowry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Stanton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darren O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] FODO Ireland sent a written submission to inform the drafting of the Department of Social Protection strategy - specifically relating to optical benefits under the Treatment Benefit Scheme

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

January–April

[Health] FODO Ireland sent a written submission to the Department of Health, upon invitation, with evidence to the review of the COSS contract.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

May–August

[Employment] FODO Ireland submitted a response to the DETE consultation on the occupations lists for employment permits.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

FODO Ireland

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

May–August

[Health] Clinical pathways (optics); Professional development (training and education).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

FODO Ireland

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Health] Clinical pathways and professional development

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kate Mitchell', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Corona Joyce', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

FODO Ireland

May–August

[Health] *Pre-budget submission on behalf of FODO Ireland. *Meeting with HSE on behalf of FODO Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

FODO Ireland

September–December

[Health] HSE clinical pathways. Eye care.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs