Politician(s) lobbied: Catherine Ardagh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Support for further scrutiny of departmental proposal on 'Inclusive Special Classes'
Methods: Informal communicationPhone call
Details by Method
Method not specified
Engaged with Deputy Ardagh on 'Inclusive Special Classes'
Politician(s) lobbied: Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad
Intent: Support for the Autism Friendly Towns Programme
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Met Senator Fiona O'Loughlin at launch of Newbridge Autism Friendly Towns
Politician(s) lobbied: Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Martina Mannion (Assistant Secretary), Department of Education
Intent: Improved understanding of the priorities of Autistic people in the education system::Improved engagement with disability advocacy organisations
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Met with Secretary General and senior officials to discuss inclusive education
Politician(s) lobbied: Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Treasa Kelly (Special Advisor), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Kearney (Chief Executive Officer), The National Council for Special Education
Intent: Support for our World Autism Day / Month campaign and increased understanding of and support for addressing the barriers experienced by Autistic people in Irish society
Methods: Event / ReceptionEmailPhone call
Details by Method
Method not specified
Held an event to mark World Autism Day and the launch of the Same Chance Report 2026
Politician(s) lobbied: Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Treasa Kelly (Special Advisor), Department of Social Protection; Michael Brennan (Special Adviser), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Secure funding to maintain and expand the AAC Support Programme
Methods: Informal communicationPhone callEmail
Details by Method
Method not specified
Engaged with Minister Foley and Higgins' offices on the future of the AAC Suppport Programme
Politician(s) lobbied: Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Martina Mannion (Assistant Secretary), Department of Education; Emer Higgins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Treasa Kelly (Special Advisor), Department of Social Protection; Noel Byrne (Adviser to Minister of State), Department of Education; Paul Melia (Special Advisor), Department of Education; Michael Moynihan (Minister of State), Department of Education; John Kearney (Chief Executive Officer), The National Council for Special Education
Intent: Ensuring the right to access autism assessment and autism specific services in health/education is strengthened in any reform of the Disability Act
Methods: Phone callVirtual MeetingEmailMeeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Engaged with relevant public officials on proposed changes to the Disability Act
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jen Cummins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruth Coppinger (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ryan O'Meara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Gillian Toole (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nikki Bradley (Senator), Seanad; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Séamus Healy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad
Intent: Support the work of the All Party Group on Autism::The full implementation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee Report on Autism and programme for government commitments on Autism
Methods: Phone callEmailMeeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Attended regular meetings of the All Party Group on Autism
Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Michael Brennan (Special Adviser), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Kearney (Chief Executive Officer), The National Council for Special Education; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jen Cummins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruth Coppinger (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ryan O'Meara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Gillian Toole (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nikki Bradley (Senator), Seanad; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Séamus Healy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Martina Mannion (Assistant Secretary), Department of Education; Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Aideen Hartney (Director), National Disability Authority; Ray McAdam (Councillor), Dublin City Council; Ian Power (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Bernard Gloster (Chief Executive Officer), Health Service Executive
Intent: Understanding of and support for the work of AsIAm and our organisation's vision and purpose
Methods: EmailPhone callEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Held an event to launch the AsIAm Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and invited a range of public officials
Politician(s) lobbied: Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Treasa Kelly (Special Advisor), Department of Social Protection; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Michael Brennan (Special Adviser), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Anne Rabbitte (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Grace Boland (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gillian Toole (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Heneghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Charles Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; James Geoghegan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat Buckley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Donnelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Naoise Ó Muirí (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jen Cummins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Implementation of the current strategy and an extension of its lifespan::A new Autism Innovation Strategy provided for in legislation
Methods: MeetingPhone callEmailEvent / ReceptionInformal communication
Details by Method
Method not specified
Sought support for the full implementation of (and extension of the lifespan) of the current Autism Innovation Strategy and implementation of government commitment to place the strategy on a statutory footing
Politician(s) lobbied: Noel Byrne (Adviser to Minister of State), Department of Education; Michael Moynihan (Minister of State), Department of Education; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister), Department of Education; John Kearney (Chief Executive Officer), The National Council for Special Education
Intent: Support for the AsIAm Autism-Friendly Schools Programme and increased understanding of the barriers encountered by Autistic students
Methods: Phone callEmail
Details by Method
Method not specified
Invited public officials to attend Autism-Friendly Schools events across the country
