National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability (National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability)

Lobbying Organisation National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

Date published 19 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details Calling for an exemption for Section 38 disability service providers from the HSE recruitment freeze

Intended results An exemption for Section 38 disability service providers from the HSE recruitment freeze

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Alison Harnett

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

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

18 Oct 2023 - Alison Harnett (National Federation CEO) and Clare Dempsey (National Federation Chairperson) wrote to Ministers O'Gorman and Rabbitte regarding HSE memos 09954/09892. Clarity was sought on whether the memos would be applied to Section 38 disability services, given the responsibility of the individual Boards with regard to maintaining safe and effective services, and in the context of the existing recruitment and retention crisis being experienced by disability organisations.

Email (1)

Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) wrote to Deputy Roisin Shorthall in her capacity as a member of the Health Committee. Alison requested a phone call to discuss the impact of a recruitment freeze on Section 38 disability service providers.

Email (2-5)

Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) wrote an email to Minister Anne Rabbitte (copying Noel Byrne) requesting clarification on the matters outlined in the letter sent on October 18th.

Phone call (1)

7th Nov 2023 - Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) had a call with Special Advisor Noel Byrne regarding the recruitment freeze for section 38 members.

Informal communication (11-20)

17th Oct - 7th Nov 2023 - Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) exchanged texts with Special Advisor Noel Byrne regarding the recruitment freeze for section 38 members.

Informal communication (2-5)

17th Oct 2023 - Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) exchanged texts with Minister Anne Rabbitte regarding the recruitment freeze for section 38 members.

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.

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

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

Róisín Shorthall TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Noel Byrne Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)