Politician(s) lobbied: John Kearney (Chief Executive Officer), The National Council for Special Education; Michael Moynihan (Minister of State), Department of Education
Intent: -Review the current balance of special class provision nationally-Commit to increasing the number of non-autism special classes -Prioritise the development of Multiple Intellectual Disabilities classes -Explore the development of specialised communication and speech/language focused class models suitable for children with Down syndrome-Ensure future special education planning reflects a broader range of disability profiles and educational needs-Engage with Down Syndrome Ireland on this
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Email
Follow up emails to NCSE requesting the following information:a) getting data around the NCSE’s engagement with school principals and the outcomes of that needs assessment process;b) the numbers of children with Down syndrome who have actually applied for special class placement through the NCSE portal for September 2026
Meeting
In person meeting at Leinster House at 3pm on May 26th
Politician(s) lobbied: Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Government support for the continued development and expansion of GLÓR; support for the additional resourcing required to deliver the programme nationally; and improved access to appropriate population and service data on people with Down syndrome to strengthen evidence-based planning and identify unmet need.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting with Minister Higgins to update on Glór programme and next steps.
Politician(s) lobbied: Dara Calleary (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Intent: Specific Government/Departmental changes sought in the submission.
Methods: Virtual Meeting
Details by Method
Virtual Meeting
Meeting with minister online
Politician(s) lobbied: Marian Harkin (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Willingness to provide support for additional role of Employment/Pathways officer to meet the needs of Further Education graduates.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting in Leinster House with DSI National Advisory Council and Marian Harkin.
Politician(s) lobbied: Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Accepting invitation to join Cross-Party working group on Down syndrome
Methods: Phone call
Details by Method
Phone call
Phone call to Aisling Dempsey TD with information on formation of a cross party working group on support for people with Down syndrome.
Politician(s) lobbied: Marian Harkin (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Eamon Scanlon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paddy O'Rourke (Councillor), Leitrim County Council; Paddy Farrell (Councillor), Leitrim County Council; Seán McGowan (Councillor), Leitrim County Council; Maeve Reynolds (Councillor), Leitrim County Council; Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Jack White (Councillor), Cork County Council; Michael Moynihan (Minister of State), Department of Education
Intent: Attendance and input at strategy workshops
Methods: Event / ReceptionEmail
Details by Method
Event / Reception
Attendance at strategy workshops in respective local areas. (Dublin, Leitrim, Cork, Limerick).
Email
Emails sent to TDs and councillors to attend various strategy workshops across Ireland to inform and collaborate on Down Syndrome Ireland's 4-year strategy
Politician(s) lobbied: James Geoghegan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Joining cross party working group to develop a National Strategy for People with Down syndrome.
Methods: MeetingEmail
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting to request James Geoghegan TD to join Cross party working group to develop a National Strategy for People with Down syndrome.
Politician(s) lobbied: Gillian Toole (Councillor), Meath County Council
Intent: Willingness to be part of the cross party working group
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Request to Gillian Toole to be part of a cross party working group to develop a National Strategy for people with Downsyndrome.
Politician(s) lobbied: Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Funding or support in provision of SLT for people with Down syndrome.
Methods: Event / ReceptionMeetingEmail
Details by Method
Event / Reception
Attendance at Dublin zoo on World Down Syndrome Day to celebrate, meet members and discuss SLT therapy.
Meeting
Discuss Provision of Therapeutic Services and lack of representation for member supports across Government.Follow up engagement following submission of the evidence of need for SLT.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ciarán Ahern (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gillian Toole (Councillor), Meath County Council
Intent: Request to join cross party group on Down syndrome.
Methods: MeetingInformal communication
Details by Method
Meeting
Aidan Stacey CEO met with Ciaran Ahern TD Labour on 19th March. Asking him to join a cross party group on Down Syndrome.
Meeting
Meeting Request to Gillian Toole to be part of a cross party working group to develop a National Strategy for people with Down syndrome.
Informal communication
Request for meeting
