Disability Federation of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Disability Federation of Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Disability Political Engagement Group - Pre Budget 2027 Campaign

Intended results Resourcing to secure key shared disability priorities

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Alison Harnett (NFVSP), Megan Leahy (NFVSP), Derval McDonagh (Inclusion Ireland), Gáibhin McGranaghan (Inclusion Ireland), Joan McCarthy (NDSA), Emer Costello (NDSA), Des Kenny (ILMI), Michael Seifu (ILMI), Emer Begley (DFI), Charlotte Olhausen (DFI), Lisa-Marie O'Malley (MHR)

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Emer Costello (Currently employed as a DPO) MEP (European Parliament)

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)

July 2026: Emails sent to Oireachtas Members offering to brief the Parliament Parties/political groupings on the Disability Political Engagement Group's (DPEG) shared priorities in advance of Budget 2027 and the facilitate further engagement on these proposals.

Virtual Meeting (1)

August 2026: During a meeting with Senator Scahill, inclusion Ireland Representatives asked the Senator to raise with his parliamentary party colleagues a broader invitation for representatives from the Disability Political Engagement Group to meeting and discuss shared priorities ahead of Budget 2027.

Meeting (1)

August 2026: During a meeting with Deputy Keogh, Mental Health Reform Representatives asked the Deputy to raise with her parliamentary party colleagues a broader invitation for representatives from the Disability Political Engagement Group to meet and discuss share priorities ahead of Budget 2027

Meeting (1)

August 2026: During a meeting with Deputy Quaide, Mental Health Reform Representatives asked the Deputy to raise with him parliamentary party colleagues a broader invitation for representatives from the Disability Political Engagement Group to meet and discuss share priorities ahead of Budget 2027

Event / Reception (1)

16/6/26: Alison Harnett, Megan Leahy and Michael Seifu attended the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis to engage with party memberson shared disability priorities

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.

Ivana Bacik TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kiera Keogh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Gillian Toole TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Roderic O'Gorman TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Richard Boyd Barrett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gareth Scahill Senator (Seanad)

Liam Quaide TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Martin Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)