Down Syndrome Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Down Syndrome Ireland

Date published 12 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Lobbying the Department of Education for additional education supports / return to school for children with special educational needs, in special schools, classes and mainstream during lockdown.

Intended results Securing additional education supports / return to school for children with special educational needs, in special schools, classes and mainstream during lockdown.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Barry Sheridan, CEO, Fidelma Brady, Head of Education

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.

Virtual Meeting (6-10)

We worked together along with the three other leading advocacy groups representing students with additional needs, Inclusion Ireland, Family Carers Ireland and AsIAm.

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.

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)

Josepha Madigan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Martina Mannion Assistant Secretary (Department of Education)