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 22 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Calling for immediate action to tackle the untenable financial risks faced by Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers that deliver essential services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism

Intended results Immediate action to tackle the untenable financial risks faced by Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers that deliver essential services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Alison Harnett, CEO National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers & Secretariat Team

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.

Email (2-5)

16th May 2025: Alison Harnett shared a letter signed by the Chairperson's of 28 NFVSP member organisations with Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO outlining untenable risks to their organisations' financial stability and impact these issues are having on people with intellectual disabilities and autism. The letter requested a meeting to identify immediate actions to address these risks. Follow up emails were exchanged with Bernard Gloster's office regarding the meeting request contained in the letter.

Email (2-5)

16th May 2025: Alison Harnett shared a letter signed by the Chairperson's of 28 NFVSP member organisations with Minister Naughton outlining untenable risks to their organisations' financial stability and the impact these issues are having on people with intellectual disabilities and autism. The letter requested a meeting to identify immediate actions to address these risks. Follow up emails were exchanged with Minister Naughton's office regarding the meeting request contained in the letter.

Email (6-10)

16th May 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a letter signed by Chairperson's of 28 NFVSP member organisations with Colm O'Connail & Kevin McCarthy outlining risks to their organisations' financial stability and the impact these issues have on people with disabilities. The letter requested a meeting to identify immediate actions. Emails with Colm O'Conaill and Kevin McCarthy's office responding to the letter and following up with the meeting request contained in the Chairperson's letter.

Email (2-5)

16th May 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a letter signed by Chairperson's of 28 NFVSP member organisations with Minister Foley outlining untenable risks to their organisations' financial stability and the impact these issues are having on people with intellectual disabilities and autism. The letter requested a meeting to identify immediate actions to address these risks. Follow up emails were exchanged with Minister Foley's office regarding the meeting request contained in the letter.

Phone call (2-5)

6th May 2025 & 16th May 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) called Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) to discuss risks threatening the sustainability of disability service providers and the impact these risks are having on people with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Phone call (1)

8th May 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) called Stephen Mulvany, (HSE CFO) to discuss risks threatening the sustainability of disability service providers and the impact these risks are having on people with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Informal communication (2-5)

13th June 2025: Series of texts exchanged between Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) and Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) to ask the date for the National Economic Dialogue Forum and to follow up on the meeting request contain in the Chairperson's letter.

Phone call (1)

13th June 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) called Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) to ask the date for the National Economic Dialogue Forum and to follow up on the meeting request contain in the Chairperson's letter.

Email (1)

21st July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a National Federation position paper on Strategic Planning and Resourcing of Disability Services with Kevin McCarthy (Sec Gen) and Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen).

Email (1)

21st July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a National Federation position paper on Strategic Planning and Resourcing of Disability Services with Minister Foley.

Email (1)

21st July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a National Federation position paper on Strategic Planning and Resourcing of Disability Services with Michael Brennan (Special Advisor to Minister Foley).

Email (1)

23rd July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a National Federation position paper on Strategic Planning and Resourcing of Disability Services with Stephen Mulvany.

Meeting (1)

22nd July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO), Michael Hennessy (NFVSP Chairperson) and a delegation of NFVSP Chairpersons attended a meeting to discuss the sustainability challenges facing National Federation member organisations. The meeting was also attended by Minister Foley, Kevin McCarthy, Colm O'Conaill, Michael Brennan.

Email (1)

29th July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a National Federation position paper on Strategic Planning and Resourcing of Disability Services with Minister Jack Chambers.

Email (1)

30th July 2025: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) shared a National Federation position paper on Strategic Planning and Resourcing of Disability Services with John Hogan (Sec Gen of Department of Finance). Also shared a paper on the potential benefits of supporting philanthropic investment in disability services.

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.

Bernard Gloster Chief Executive Officer (Health Service Executive)

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

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

Ciarán Devane Chairperson (Health Service Executive)

Kevin McCarthy Secretary General (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

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

Michael Brennan Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Stephen Mulvany Chief Financial Officer (Health Service Executive)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

John Hogan Secretary General (Department of Finance)