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 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Calling for funding and resourcing to respond to unmet need for disability services, support necessary innovation, and enable disability service providers to deliver and expand services

Intended results Funding and resourcing to 1) Respond to unmet need for disability services, 2) Support necessary innovation, and 3) Enable disability service providers to deliver and expand services through sustainability

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Brian Donohoe, Inclusive Research Network Secretary; Alison Harnett, CEO NFVSP; Michael Hennessy, NFVSP Chairperson

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)

3rd Sept 2025: Brian Donohoe, IRN Secretary confirmed a meeting with Minister Naughton on Friday Sept 12th 2025.

Email (2-5)

4th Sept 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO sent an email to Colm O'Conaill, Ass Sec Gen DCDE following a meeting on 22nd July 2025. Documents attached to this email included information on the drivers of the sustainability challenges; information on residential and respite supports; and an outline of ongoing NFVSP innovation projects. Also, included an invitation to meet. Subsequent emails exchanged.

Meeting (1)

12th Sept 2025: Minister Naughton attended a meeting in the National Federation offices attended by Brian Donohoe IRN Secretary, Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO and Michael Hennessy NFVSP Chairperson. The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the Minister to the IRN, to discuss the NFVSP Pre-Budget 2026 Priorities, introduce the Minister to the work of the Federation, and discuss some key areas of innovation in the provision of disability services.

Meeting (1)

9th Oct 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP, attended a briefing session on the Budget 2026 announcement also attended by Colm O'Conaill, Ass Sec Gen DCDE, Minister Naughton and Minister Foley.

Email (2-5)

10th Oct 2025 and 15th Oct 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO sent an email to Colm O'Conaill requesting a briefing document summarising on the Budget 2026 allocations to disability.

Phone call (1)

7th Oct 2025: Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO had a phone call with Michael Brennan Special Advisor to discuss the provisions for disability in Budget 2026.

Phone call (1)

29th Sept 2025: Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO had a phone call with Colm O'Conaill Ass Sec Gen to discuss the National Federation's Pre-Budget Campaign.

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.

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

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

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

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