Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

Date published 08 Feb, 2018

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2017 to 31 Dec, 2017

Specific Details AOTI Pre-Budget Submission to the Minister for Finance for budget 2018

Intended results Increased allocation of public funds for occupational therapy posts in acute hospitals, community mental health teams and primary care services

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Odhrán Allen, AOTI Chief Strategy Officer

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.

Submission (1)

Pre-budget submission to Minister for Finance making 3 recommendations: 1. As increased hospital spending on occupational therapy reduces readmission rates, AOTI recommended that government allocate additional funds to increase the number of occupational therapists working in acute hospitals. 2. As occupational therapy significantly improves outcomes for those living in the community with serious mental illness, AOTI recommended that government allocate additional resources to enhance the recruitment of occupational therapists to community mental health teams. 2. As occupational therapy delivers better outcomes for older people with complex needs living in the community, AOTI recommended that government allocate additional funds to increase the number of occupational therapists working in primary care.

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.

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)