Politician(s) lobbied: Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Séamus Healy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gillian Toole (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Nikki Bradley (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad
Intent: To advocate on behalf of the Occupational Therapy profession for amendments to the Disability Act 2005 that protect and strengthen the rights of disabled people and ensure Assessments of Need remain comprehensive, professionally informed and focused on identifying supports required for full and meaningful participation in society
Methods: Submission
Details by Method
Submission
AOTI recommended that reforms to the Disability Act 2005 align with the social model of disability and the UNCRPD, protect the rights of disabled people, ensure Assessments of Need remain comprehensive and multidisciplinary, avoid additional barriers to accessing assessment, and be supported by investment in the HSCP workforce required to deliver timely assessments and services. AOTI also raised concerns regarding proposals that may create increased gatekeeping within the assessment process.
Politician(s) lobbied: Elizabeth Canavan (Assistant Secretary), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: Engage with the Department to understand the role of the Disability Unit and identify how AOTI can support the implementation of the Work Programme 2025-27. To explore the introduction of Apprenticeships for Occupational Therapy training in Ireland as a workforce planning solution.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting in Department of the Taoiseach 17th December 2025
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Intended results:Chief HSCP Officer be a permanent role on par with CNO and CMO. Outstanding professions be added to the HSCP Professionals Act. Establish structures to enable doubling of HSCP student practice education placements given significant service pressures. Reverse the HSE Pay & Numbers Strategy. Government engage with the HSCPA to find solutions to HSCP recruitment and retention challenges, including advanced practice, enhanced career pathways and improving staffing capacity.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
The HSCPA was represented at the meeting by the following members: Marie O' Mír, HSCPA Co-Chair & CEO of Irish Society of Chartered PhysiotherapistsEdel Dunphy, HSCPA Co-Chair and COO of Irish Association of Speech and Language TherapistsOdhrán Allen, HSCPA Vice Chair and CEO of Association of Occupational Therapists of IrelandKaren Dobbyn, HSCPA member and CEO of Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Physiology
Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: We were seeking meaningful consultation on the draft protocol as it was our view that this did not happen. We were also seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister and the HSE to discuss our concerns and identify solutions to manage clinical risk, to ensure that the protocol is implementable for our members and to ensure appropriate assessment and intervention pathways for autistic people.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
The letter was emailed to Minister Foley's office on 3rd July 2025 and forwarded to the Minister for Health, Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD., and the Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton TD.
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
Details by Method
Method not specified
Unknown
Politician(s) lobbied: Bernard Gloster (Chief Executive Officer), Health Service Executive; Colm Henry (Chief Clinical Officer), Health Service Executive
Intent: The Work-Able Solutions project was funded under the Sláintecare Integration fund. AOTI wrote to highlight our concern that no commitment had been provided to funding of the service beyond the end of 2024. We sought ongoing funding to enable the mainstreaming of the effective service.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
Details by Method
Method not specified
Unknown
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: The appointment of an Occupational Therapist to the Commission on Care for Older People
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
AOTI sought the appointment of an Occupational Therapist to the Commission on Care for Older People or at a minimum the appointment of a health and social care professional member on the Commission
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
Details by Method
Method not specified
Unknown
Politician(s) lobbied: Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: To have the Minister for Health attend the AOTI annual conference and deliver an opening address to delegates
Methods: Letter
