Disability Federation of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Disability Federation of Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2016

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Housing

Period 1 May, 2016 to 31 Aug, 2016

Specific Details Further strengthening the positive impact of the Social Housing Strategy for people with disabilities in housing need

Intended results Bringing urgent attention to unmet disability-specific housing need in the community Discussing issues relating to the backlogs in applications for housing adaptation grants in relation to social housing tenants who have a disability

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joanne McCarthy supported by Joan O'Connor and Dermot O'Donnell

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.

Phone call (1)

25.05.16 - Phone call with Councillor David Costello informing DFI that the clause “Houses reserved by the local authority for particular reasons (e.g. houses with adaption’s for medical needs, single storey houses etc.)” has been removed from the tenant purchase scheme application. Also highlighted the problem in Dublin City Council of backlogs in applications for housing adaptation grants in relation to social housing tenants who have a disability. The work being carried out, has to be carried out by the Council’s own construction company, and can’t be outsourced creating a backlog.

Informal communication (1)

12.07.16 - Contacted Senator Lynn Ruane asking for her to support a Motion that was put down for consideration to Seanad Eireann on the 13.07.16 in relation to the need for appropriate housing for people with disabilities.

Email (1)

15.06.16 - Email in response to Councillor David Costello's email relating to the length of time tenants are waiting and the legal reason prohibiting Council tenants from carrying out the works under the normal process associated with the disabled persons/housing adaptation grant.

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.

Lynn Ruane Senator (Seanad)

David Costello Councillor (Dublin City Council)