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 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Calling for continued investment in Budget 2027 to strengthen rights-based services for people with disabilities and support key enablers that expand capacity to meet growing and unmet demand.

Intended results Continued investment in Budget 2027 to strengthen rights-based services for people with disabilities and support key enablers that expand capacity to meet growing and unmet demand.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Alison Harnett (CEO, National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers), Megan Leahy (Policy and Governance Officer, National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers), Caroline Looney (Administrative Officer National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers), a delegation from the NFVSP Chairperson Network, Michael Hegarty (NFVSP Board Member), Francis Coughlan (NFVSP Board Member), 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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? National Federation coordinated with members to engage Oireachtas members in their own constituencies on the National Federation's Pre-Budget 2027 messages. The National Federation issued resources to support members: - Our 2027 Pre-Budget Submission - Template invitation letter to TDs & Senators inviting them to meetings to discuss Budget 2027 - Oireachtas member contact list - Easy Read version of the submission

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members 21st July 2026: An email was sent by to all Oireachtas members sharing the National Federation's Pre-Budget 2027 Submission.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (2-5)

16/05/26: National Federation Pre-Budget 2027 Submission was shared with Minister Chambers, An Tánaiste, Minister Foley, and Minister Higgins.

Letter (1)

24/05/26: Letter addressed to Ministers Foley and Higgins was shared. It was signed by 19 Section 38/39 voluntary disability service providers and sought a meeting to discuss potential increased capacity developments, and avenues to address remaining sustainability challenges facing some service providers.

Meeting (1)

21/07/26: A meeting was held between Minister Higgins and a delegation from the NFVSP Chairperson's Network, as well as Alison Harnett and Michael Hennessy. The following items were discussed: 1. Proposals for expansion of residential & respite services, planning pipeline and addressing barriers 2. Federation focus on innovation to respond to presenting need and future planning 3. Remaining sustainability challenges

Meeting (1)

13/07/26: Councillor John Sheridan attended the NFVSP General Assembly in his capacity as Head of Services in Camphill Communities. During the course of the meeting, the National Federation's Pre-Budget 2027 Messages were shared.

Email (1)

18/08/26: Email sent by NFVSP Member Carol O'Donnell to Deputy O'Cearuil introducing Alison Harnett and offering follow up information on sustainability of service providers and mechanisms to expand capacity within the sector.

Submission (1)

26/08/26: Following a request for further information by Minister Higgins, Alison Harnett shared a paper on developments across the sector, including the positive impact of sustainability funding received in 2026. This paper also examined enablers which if actioned could further enhance the ability of service providers to respond to unmet need for disability services.

Event / Reception (1)

26/05/26: A delegation from the NFVSP attended the Department of Children, Disability and Equality Pre-Estimates Event.

Informal communication (2-5)

20/05/26: Alison Harnett texted Colm O'Conaill to request a short phonecall regarding access to capital funding for disability service providers.

Event / Reception (1)

15/06/26: Michael Hegarty and Francis Coughlan attended the Economic Dialogue Forum to represent issues of importance to NFVSP members.

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.

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)

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

Emer Higgins Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

John Sheridan Councillor (Louth County council)

Naoise O'Cearúil TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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