Down Syndrome Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Down Syndrome Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2023

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 May, 2023 to 31 Aug, 2023

Specific Details Down Syndrome Ireland Pre-Budget Submission

Intended results Under Health, Education and Employment, Down Syndrome Ireland calls for: • Speech & Language therapy positions and coordinator • DSI New Parent Liaison and Early Intervention Specialist • Reimbursement scheme for families • Increased funding for our national employment programme Under Financial Independence and Independent Living, Down Syndrome Ireland calls for: • Personalised budgets for school leavers • Flexibility in spending HSE-allocated funding • Increase in Carers’ Allowance and Disability Allowance • Supports in Transition planning • Implementation of independent travel and dedicated parking permits • Review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme • Medical cards and Carers’ Allowance cease to be means-tested Under Funding Model, Down Syndrome Ireland calls for: • A more sustainable funding model to support staffing and operations and maintain current supports

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Down Syndrome Ireland - Pre-Budget Submission

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Submission All Senators Pre-Budget Submission

Submission All TDs Pre-Budget Submission

Submission All Oireachtas Members Pre-Budget Submission

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (11-20)

Individual letters together with a copy of our Pre-Budget Submission were sent to all DPOs listed below.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Josepha Madigan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Anne Rabbitte Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Mary Butler Minister of State (Department of Health)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State (Department of Health)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)