Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

Lobbying Organisation Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

Date published 21 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details We engaged with Minister Madigan to highlight the needs of autistic students returning to school during COVID-19, to ensure the support needs of students were met and to seek additional guidance and supports for students

Intended results Additional guidance/resources for autistic students returning to school Safeguards for students in terms of reasonable accommodations around face masks and other COVID-19 safety measures

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Adam Harris / Gaibhin McGranaghan

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.

Informal communication (2-5)

We arranged to meet the Minister via text message

Phone call (1)

Spoke to Michael Ward prior to our meeting to let him know about a survey which AsIAm was publishing on back to school issues and to send him a copy of the survey and associated press release

Meeting (1)

Met with Minister Madigan, Michael Ward and Eddie Ward to highlight our concerns and request greater guidance and support for students

Email (2-5)

Wrote to Minister Department/Michael Ward by means of follow-up to the meeting and outlining further our position

Informal communication (21-30)

Engaged further with Michael Ward around the development of advice and back to school issues via text message.

Phone call (1)

Had a follow-up phone call with Michael.

Email (2-5)

Received a copy of Department press release regarding back-to-school resources from Michael Ward and responded.

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.

Michael Ward Special Adviser (Department of Education)

Josepha Madigan Minister of State (Department of Education and Skills)