The Psychological Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Psychological Society of Ireland

Date published 11 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Letter to Minister Foley, co-signed by six professional bodies (Occupational Therapy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, Dietetics), requesting an urgent meeting on concerns about the HSE’s draft Autism Assessment & Intervention Pathway Protocol.

Intended results Secure a meeting with the Minister and the HSE to address significant clinical concerns regarding the draft Autism Protocol, ensure meaningful consultation with health professionals, and advocate for a safe, high-quality, evidence-informed approach to autism assessment and intervention across the lifespan.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr Sarah Cassidy, PSI President-Elect

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)

On 3 July 2025, PSI co-signed a joint letter with five other professional bodies to Minister Norma Foley regarding the HSE’s draft Autism Assessment & Intervention Pathway Protocol. The letter noted the lack of consultation, risks of unsafe practice in Tier 1 assessments, and the danger of repeating harms in the Maskey Report. It called for engagement to identify solutions to ensure the protocol is safe, implementable, and aligned with best practice.

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.

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)