Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA)

Lobbying Organisation Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA)

Date published 21 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Transport

Period 1 Sep. 2026 to 31 Dec. 2026

Specific Details IWA lobbied Simon Harris in relation to the Disabled Drivers Scheme

Intended results That the Disabled Drivers scheme would not be impacted by the introduction of the VAS and any review carried out would not negatively impact people with disabilities

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joan Carthy IWA Head of Advocacy

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.

Event / Reception (1)

Joan Carthy attended a the Economic Dialog Forum and asked Minister Harris about the Disabled Drivers Scheme and how it will negatively impact people with disabilities if it is taken away. The Minister made a commitment to meet with IWA

Letter (1)

Letter sent to Minister Harris to request he set a date for a meeting promised

Phone call (2-5)

3 phone calls were made in relation to a meeting that had been promised

Event / Reception (1)

Spoke to Minister Higgins at an event about the DDS, she requested further information to be sent to her

Letter (1)

Letter sent to Minister Higgins explaining issues with DDS

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.

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)

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