Down Syndrome Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Down Syndrome Ireland

Date published 20 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details Down Syndrome Ireland met with the Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath TD last week to discuss areas that need to be addressed across the lifespan for people with Down syndrome, including Personalised Budgets, healthcare waiting lists, waiting lists for vital therapies such as SLT and OT, education needs, respite care and the needs of people with Down syndrome as they age.

Intended results Lobbying for the inclusion of DSI members on the Personalised Budgets demonstration projects and for them to be able to opt for services outside of the HSE provided services. Raising awareness about the general needs of our members, and highlighting health waiting list issues.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Gary Owens, DSI CEO, Nicola Hart, DSI Head of Member Services, Patricia Griffin, DSI member

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 (1)

Down Syndrome Ireland met with the Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath TD in Leinster House last week to discuss areas that need to be addressed across the lifespan for people with Down syndrome, including Personalised Budgets, healthcare waiting lists, waiting lists for vital therapies such as SLT and OT, education needs, respite care and the needs of people with Down syndrome as they age.

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.

Finian McGrath Minister of State (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)