Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 20 Jan, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2020 to 31 Dec, 2020

Specific Details Mental health, addictions and imprisonment

Intended results Support the Government commitment to establish a Task Force on mental health, addictions and imprisonment Diversion of people with mental illness away from the criminal justice system to appropriate treatment and supports Improve access to mental health treatment and services in the community through resourcing and legislative change.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Fíona Ní Chinnéide, Executive Director

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 (2-5)

Introductory letters, noting IPRT's concerns regarding the impact of Covid-19 on mental health of prisoners, and welcoming Government commitments to improving approaches to mental health in the criminal justice system.

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.

Mary Butler Minister of State (Department of Health)

Frances Black Senator (Seanad)