Jack and Jill Children's Foundation

Lobbying Organisation Jack and Jill Children's Foundation

Date published 03 Jul, 2019

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2017 to 31 Dec, 2017

Specific Details The Jack & Jill Children's Foundation supports and advocates for children in its care and their families. It has been noted that the HSE is implementing a policy of Loco Parentis. This compels parents to remain at home 24/7 with their sick child or alternatively they must identify another responsible adult to be in the home with a qualified nurse at all times. As nursing professionals the negative impact this is having on families is seen and the stress that it is causing.

Intended results Through the office of the Director General of the HSE, Jack & Jill is asking that the HSE revisit the decision to include the in loco parentis rule in HSE Homecare Packages for sick children, as a matter of urgency. Jack & Jill also asked for meetings to discuss and find a favourable solution with the child and family at the centre of the decision

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Saundra Nolan - on behalf of the Jack and Jill nursing team

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Mattie McGrath (Former DPO) TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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.

Letter (1)

On behalf of the Jack and Jill nursing team the nurse managers wrote to the Director General of the HSE requesting a meeting to discuss the issue of the Loco Parentis policy in HSE Home Care Packages for sick children. The charity shared a copy of the letter with relevant members of the Oireachtas.

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.

Tony O'Brien Director General (Department of Health)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)

Finian McGrath Minister of State (Department of Health)

Katherine Zappone Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Mattie McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)