Polio Survivors Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Polio Survivors Ireland

Date published 18 Sep, 2018

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2018 to 31 Aug, 2018

Specific Details Long term illness cards, waiting lists, disabled parking, UNCRPD

Intended results Making the Minister for health aware of the difficulties faced by polio survivors who are not on the long term illness scheme, abuse of disabled parking, the time limits for polio survivors who are aging in relation to the implemention of CRPD, decrease waiting lists for those who need hip/knee replacements of their good polio limb and are struggling as a result.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Pat McGillion, Chairperson of Polio Survivors Ireland as chair of the Conference at which lobbying took place

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.

Event / Reception (1)

Polio Survivors Ireland Conference 2018, Tullamore Court Hotel, keynote speaker Finian McGrath, Minister for Disabilities. Q&A session raised insurance for disabled people, abuse of disabled parking and policing, including private car parks. On question of implementation of UN CRPD, given age of people with polio, he spoke of extra funding for housing grants and the rebuilding Ireland programme. He appealed for people to let him know of gaps. Asked about support for people with polio and recognition of this as a disability, (pertaining to the long term illness scheme & medical cards, which polio is not a listed disease) he indicated that he would highlight these issues within upcoming Government estimates. Re parking for Dáil Eireann under the refurbishment, he confirmed the long-term ambition to have disabled spots available. Re waiting lists for knee or hip replacements which arises where the good leg (limb) is worn for polio survivors, he agreed to follow up with Minister for Health

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 Health)

Finian McGrath Minister of State (Department of Justice and Equality)