Muscular Dystrophy Society of Ireland GLC (Muscular Dystrophy Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Muscular Dystrophy Society of Ireland GLC

Date published 17 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) / enhanced Illness Benefit

Intended results That the PUP/enhanced illness benefit continue to be paid, and/or extended to all high-risk people with disabilities and the family members who share a household with them, who cannot return to work due to their health status and the need to follow public health guidance.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr John Roche, Chairperson, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland

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.

Letter (1)

Requested that consideration be given to submission from Disability Federation of Ireland, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Muscular Dystrophy Ireland to NPHET. The submission highlighted the social protection policy anomalies emerging during the COVID-19 crisis for high risk people with disabilities and family members who share a household with them, who cannot return to work due to their health status and the need to follow public health guidance.

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.

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)