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 Pay Parity for staff employed by Section 39 organisations

Intended results Pay Parity for Staff Employed by Section 39 Organisations

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)

5th Oct 2023 - A letter complied by the Wheel and co-signed by the National Federation was submitted to Leo Varadkar. The letter was developed by multiple umbrella bodies representing sectors that would be effected by the upcoming strike action in relation to pay for staff working in Section 39 organisations. The letter called on the government to seek a resolution to the dispute as quickly as possible.

Email (1)

An email was sent by Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) to Colm O'Conaill (DCDEIY). The National Federation's Paper on Section 39 Pay Costings October 2023 was attached.

Letter (1)

Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) and Clare Dempsey (National Federation Chairperson) wrote a letter to Ministers Anne Rabbitte and Roderic O'Gorman (copying Noel Byrne and Colm O'Conaill) requesting clarification on the timeframe for the payment of the 2023 increases and clarification on whom within the department of HSE will be responsible for providing guidance on the process for administering the payment.

Social Media (1)

Retweeted a post by DFI which highlighted the need for government to take action on the cost of disability and the crisis in section 39 organisations. (Tagged Tom Clonan)

Social Media (1)

Retweeted a post by the Wheel which drew attention to the letter sent on Oct 5th 2023. (Tagged Leo Varadkar)

Social Media (2-5)

Tweeted and retweeted posts calling on government to resolve the section 39 pay dispute. All DPOs tagged listed in Section 5.

Informal communication (6-10)

12th-17th Oct 2023: Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) exchanged a number of texts with Special Advisor Noel Byrne.

Informal communication (6-10)

12th-17th Oct 2023: Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) exchanged a number of texts with Minister Anne Rabbitte.

Informal communication (2-5)

17th-23rd Oct 2023: Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) exchanged a number of texts with Deputy Holly Cairns.

Meeting (1)

17th Oct 2023: Alison Harnett (National Federation Chief Executive) met with Deputy Louise O'Reilly to discuss key issues to the disability sector in relation to the Pay Parity for Section 39 organisations.

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.

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

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

Colm Ó Conaill Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

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

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Tom Clonan Senator (Seanad)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Duncan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pauline Tully TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pauline Tully TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Duncan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Róisín Shorthall TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)