Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2021 to 31 Aug, 2021

Specific Details Following our meeting with Minister Anne Rabbitte AOTI engaged with the Minister's Special Adviser Noel Byrne

Intended results To discuss further matters that arose at the meeting as time was limited at the meeting

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

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.

Phone call (1)

1. The need for a review of the Disability and EPSEN Acts in light of Ireland's ratification of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2. The Disability Capacity Review which highlights the need for additional Occupational Therapy posts in children's disability services 3. AOTI's intention to make a pre-budget submission seeking additional Occupational Therapy posts for children's disability network teams and primary care paediatric OT services, to address current gaps and projected rise in demand. 4. AOTI members' concerns about the HSE panel system of recruitment 5. Difficulties securing practice education placements for Occupational Therapy students and the need for a strategic review of the system similar to the previous National Implementation Group

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.

Noel Byrne Special Adviser (Department of Health)