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 May, 2018

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2018 to 30 Apr, 2018

Specific Details AsIAm has been keen to highlight the importance of meeting the needs of autistic students in any proposed reforms to the SNA scheme arising from the review of that scheme requested by Minister Richard Bruton

Intended results Ensure that the needs of autistic students are met by any reform to the SNA Scheme

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

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 (1)

Had a brief conversation with Minister Richard Bruton at the FORSA Education Conference in the Gresham Hotel, Dublin on the 5th April. Requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss the SNA review and proposed reforms (which the Minister alluded to in his speech on the day)

Email (2-5)

Emailed the Minister's Private Office to secure a date for the meeting at the Minister's request

Meeting (1)

Met with Minister Richard Bruton, Patrick Cluskey and Jim Mulkerrins (Principal Officer for Special Educational Needs) to discuss the needs of autistic students and how they must be considered in the context of proposed reforms. The meeting took place in Leinster House at approximately 3pm on the 11th April

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.

Richard Bruton Minister (Department of Education and Skills)

Patrick Cluskey Special Advisor (Department of Education and Skills)