Politician(s) lobbied: Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sinéad Gibney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Janet Horner (Councillor), Dublin City Council; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Grace O'Sullivan (MEP), European Parliament; Hazel Chu (Councillor), Dublin City Council; Donna Cooney (Councillor), Dublin City Council; Malcolm Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Thomas Gould (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aengus Ó Snodaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Communication of shared priorities across the disability sector
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Event / Reception
Members of the Disability Political Engagement Group attended the Green Party Ard Fheis 28th February and 1st March 2026.
Event / Reception
Members of the Disability Political Engagement Group attended the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis on 24th and 25th April 2026.
Event / Reception
Members of the Disability Political Engagement Group attended the Social Democrats Ard Fheis on 7th February 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: Malcolm Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Communicating priorities for people with disabilities and service providers to Oireachtas Members
Methods: Phone callEmail
Details by Method
Phone call
26/01/26: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO had a phone call with Deputy Malcolm Byrne regarding the disability priorities. During the phone call, it was suggested that a meeting could possibly be arranged with the Fianna Fail Parliamentary party with representatives from across the disability sector to discuss ongoing challenges and priorities.
Email
29/01/26: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO sent an email to Deputy Malcolm Byrne outlining current priorities, including the sustainability of disability service providers, and priorities that we are aware of through engagement with umbrella bodies in the sector, including a cost of disability payment. Deputy Byrne was also thanked again for the suggestion of arranging a meeting with the Parliamentary Party.
Politician(s) lobbied: Elizabeth Canavan (Assistant Secretary), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: Information sharing between the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers and Disability Unit at the Department of the Taoiseach
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
27/04/26: Meeting held between officials from the Department of the Taoiseach and NFVSP Representatives to discuss key priorities, including: Developing solutions to pressing residential and respite support needs for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, the Human Rights Strategy and innovation, and future proofing positive sustainability gains achieved.
Politician(s) lobbied: Anne Marie Hoey (Chief People Officer), Health Service Executive; Anne O'Connor (Chief Executive Officer), Health Service Executive
Intent: Engagement between the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers and the HSE to progress matters of shared importance
Methods: Virtual MeetingLetter
Details by Method
Virtual Meeting
20/03/26: NFVSP Representatives attended a meeting with Anne Marie Hoey (HSE Chief People Officer). This meeting was held to discuss and progress issues of shared importance between HSE and Disability Service Providers.
Letter
23/03/26: Letter was sent by Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) and Michael Hennessy (NFVSP Chairperson) to Anne O'Connor (HSE CEO) congratulating her on her new role and inviting her to an introductory meeting and general discussion on key strategic priorities facing the disability sector. Meeting was scheduled for 1 May 2026
Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Providing an opportunity for member organisations of the National Federation to engage in the development of the Vision and Strategy for specialist disability services which is currently in development through the Department of Children Disability and Equality
Methods: EmailSubmissionPhone callVirtual MeetingInformal communication
Details by Method
Email
01/04/26: Emails exchanged with Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) in copy requesting a date for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality Budget Pre-Estimates event.
Submission
09/03/26: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) sent a document outlining key considerations regarding housing delivery to Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen).
Phone call
10/03/26: Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) called Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) to discuss a housing document that had been shared with him and their input at the upcoming NFVSP general assembly.
Virtual Meeting
11/03/26: Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) attended the NFVSP General Assembly to discuss the work of the Vision and Strategy Unit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and key priorities areas for people with disabilities and disability service providers.
Informal communication
11/04/26: Text messages exchanged between Alison (NFVSP CEO) and Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) regarding the impact of the fuel protests on disability service provision and noting that service providers were standing up plans to ensure continuous support for people using services.
Informal communication
April 2026: Text messages exchanged between Alison (NFVSP CEO) and Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) regarding potentially meeting to discuss issues arising in relation to disability service provision - meeting couldn't go ahead due to clashing schedules.
Email
February 2026: Emails exchanged between Colm O'Conaill (Ass Sec Gen) and Alison Harnett (NFVSP CEO) inviting him and members of his team to attend an upcoming NFVSP General Assembly. The focus of their input at the event was then discussed.
Politician(s) lobbied: Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Provide input on motion tabled by the Social Democrats and provide information relevant for the subsequent debate
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
29th Sept 2025: Emails exchanged between Megan Leahy, NFVSP and Liam Quaide TD (and his office) on a draft motion that the Social Democrats were tabling on the Carer's Allowance. Alison Harnett also provided links to a recent RTE series on disability in case this would contain information relevant to the subsequent debate.
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul McAuliffe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seamus McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cormac Devlin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Anne Rabbitte (Senator), Seanad; Dee Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; George Lawlor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Carrie Smyth (Councillor), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor Sheehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ciarán Ahern (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Funding to support the key priorities for disabled people as outlined in the ODG's Pre-Budget 2026 Submission
Methods: Event / ReceptionMeeting
Details by Method
Event / Reception
12th Nov 2025: Emer Costello and Joan Carthy attended the Labour Party Conference. While at the conference, they brought the ODG's priorities to Labour Party politicians.
Meeting
24 Sept 2025: Meeting held in the Fianna Fail Parlimentary Room to discuss priorities raised in the Oireachtas Disability Groups joint Pre-Budget Submission. Meeting was attended by several Fianna Fail TDs.
Politician(s) lobbied: Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Michael Brennan (Special Adviser), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Funding and resourcing to 1) Respond to unmet need for disability services, 2) Support necessary innovation, and 3) Enable disability service providers to deliver and expand services through sustainability
Methods: EmailMeetingPhone call
Details by Method
Email
10th Oct 2025 and 15th Oct 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO sent an email to Colm O'Conaill requesting a briefing document summarising on the Budget 2026 allocations to disability.
Meeting
12th Sept 2025: Minister Naughton attended a meeting in the National Federation offices attended by Brian Donohoe IRN Secretary, Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO and Michael Hennessy NFVSP Chairperson. The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the Minister to the IRN, to discuss the NFVSP Pre-Budget 2026 Priorities, introduce the Minister to the work of the Federation, and discuss some key areas of innovation in the provision of disability services.
Phone call
29th Sept 2025: Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO had a phone call with Colm O'Conaill Ass Sec Gen to discuss the National Federation's Pre-Budget Campaign.
Email
3rd Sept 2025: Brian Donohoe, IRN Secretary confirmed a meeting with Minister Naughton on Friday Sept 12th 2025.
Email
4th Sept 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO sent an email to Colm O'Conaill, Ass Sec Gen DCDE following a meeting on 22nd July 2025. Documents attached to this email included information on the drivers of the sustainability challenges; information on residential and respite supports; and an outline of ongoing NFVSP innovation projects. Also, included an invitation to meet. Subsequent emails exchanged.
Phone call
7th Oct 2025: Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO had a phone call with Michael Brennan Special Advisor to discuss the provisions for disability in Budget 2026.
Meeting
9th Oct 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP, attended a briefing session on the Budget 2026 announcement also attended by Colm O'Conaill, Ass Sec Gen DCDE, Minister Naughton and Minister Foley.
Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Information sharing in relation to the development of a vision and strategy for the disability sector to 2030 as a successor to the Action Plan.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Email
13th Nov 2025: Alison Harnett, NFVSP CEO and Pamela Mansell, NFVSP Bridge to Community Initiative Lead sent an email to Colm O'Conaill, Ass Sec Gen DCDE inviting him and colleagues to attend a Community of Practice Meeting. Subsequent emails were exchanged regarding the attendance of DCDE staff at the event.
Meeting
Alison Harnett NFVSP CEO and Pamela Mansell Bridge to Community Initiative attended 2 days of workshops with DCDE staff and shared information around the vision for the future of disability services
Politician(s) lobbied: Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Information on the number of planned residential places delivered for people with disabilities in 2025
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
7th July 2025: Megan Leahy (Administrative Officer) contacted Deputy Quaide to request a PQ be submitted requesting information on the number of number of priority 1 residential places provided and the number of planned residential places provided in 2025.
