Down Syndrome Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Down Syndrome Ireland

Date published 16 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Employment

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Meeting on Further Education needs for people with Down syndrome.

Intended results Funding for extra DSI staff to work on gaps in Further and Higher Education for adults with Down syndrome. - These gaps include the transition from post-primary school to further education, from further education to higher education, and from further and higher education to employment. - The need for extra support in Further Education.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sinead Flynn, Will Cronin, Gerard O'Carroll, Aoife Gaffney

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.

Meeting (2-5)

Met with Minister Lawless on three occasions in February and March. In his office in Leinster House with DSI President Gerard O'Carroll, DSI CEO Will Cronin, DSI Head of Employment, 2 DSI members Derek McSweeney and Mark O'Meara and myself Sinéad Flynn. - In the DSI Cork Branch. - In Sallins Community Centre.

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.

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)