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 20 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Communicating priorities for people with disabilities and service providers to Department of Children, Disability and Equality

Intended results Providing an opportunity for member organisations of the National Federation to engage in the development of the Vision and Strategy for specialist disability services which is currently in development through the Department of Children Disability and Equality

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Alison Harnett (CEO National Federation Voluntary Service Providers)

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 (6-10)

February 2026: Emails exchanged between Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) and Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) inviting him and members of his team to attend an upcoming NFVSP General Assembly. The focus of their input at the event was then discussed.

Submission (1)

09/03/26: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) sent a document outlining key considerations regarding housing delivery to Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen).

Phone call (1)

10/03/26: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) called Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) to discuss a housing document that had been shared with him and their input at the upcoming NFVSP general assembly.

Virtual Meeting (1)

11/03/26: Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) attended the NFVSP General Assembly to discuss the work of the Vision and Strategy Unit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and key priorities areas for people with disabilities and disability service providers.

Email (2-5)

01/04/26: Emails exchanged with Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) in copy requesting a date for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality Budget Pre-Estimates event.

Informal communication (2-5)

11/04/26: Text messages exchanged between Alison (NFVSP CEO) and Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) regarding the impact of the fuel protests on disability service provision and noting that service providers were standing up plans to ensure continuous support for people using services.

Informal communication (2-5)

April 2026: Text messages exchanged between Alison (NFVSP CEO) and Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) regarding potentially meeting to discuss issues arising in relation to disability service provision - meeting couldn't go ahead due to clashing schedules.

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.

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