National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability

10/07/26: Alison Harnett contacted Colm O'Conaill to request a call to discuss potential opportunities for information sharing within the disability sector and Government around innovative practice and development of rights-based, high quality services.

10/07/26: Alison Harnett had a phone call with Colm O'Conaill to discuss potential opportunities for information sharing within the disability sector and Government around innovative practice and development of rights-based, high quality services.

July 2026: Follow up emails were exchanged between Alison Harnett and Colm O'Conaill regarding a potential shared learning event to take place in 2027.

04/08/26: Text messages exchanged between Colm O'Conaill and Alison Harnett to ascertain correct template for business case process.

July 2026: Text messages exchanged between Colm O'Conaill and Alison Harnett regarding the importance of data systems and financial reporting.

16/06/26: Alison Harnett, Megan Leahy and Michael Seifu attended the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis to engage with party members on shared disability priorities.

August 2026: During a meeting with Deputy Keogh, Mental Health Reform Representatives asked the Deputy to raise with her parliamentary party colleagues a broader invitation for representatives from the Disability Political Engagement Group to meet and discuss shared priorities ahead of Budget 2027.

August 2026: During a meeting with Deputy Quaide, Mental Health Reform Representatives asked the Deputy to raise with her parliamentary party colleagues a broader invitation for representatives from the Disability Political Engagement Group to meet and discuss shared priorities ahead of Budget 2027.

August 2026: During a meeting with Senator Scahill, Inclusion Ireland Representatives asked the Senator to raise with his parliamentary party colleagues a broader invitation for representatives from the Disability Political Engagement Group to meet and discuss shared priorities ahead of Budget 2027.

July 2026: Emails were sent to Oireachtas Members offering to brief the Parliamentary Parties / political groupings on the Disability Political Engagement Group's (DPEG) shared priorities in advance of Budget 2027 and to facilitate further engagement on these proposals.

07/05/26: Letter signed by Alison Harnett sent to Deputy Liam Quaide seeking a meeting with National Federation representatives.

May 2026: A number of emails exchanged between Deputy Quaide and Alison Harnett regarding setting up a meeting.

01/05/26: Alison Harnett, CEO NFVSP and Michael Hennessy, NFVSP Chairperson, attended a meeting with Anne O'Connor to introduce the National Federation and discuss items of shared importance.

14/07/26: Rama Shukla, Administrative Office NFVSP followed up with Anne Marie Hoey, HSE Chief People Officer for approval of minutes from a meeting held on 20th March 2026.

04/06/26: Paper shared by Alison Harnett with Minister Chambers outlining a proposal to increase residential capacity for people with disabilities through the introduction of measures designed to encourage philanthropic investment in disability services.

13/07/26: Councillor John Sheridan attended the NFVSP General Assembly in his capacity as Head of Services in Camphill Communities. During the course of the meeting, the National Federation's Pre-Budget 2027 Messages were shared.

15/06/26: Michael Hegarty and Francis Coughlan attended the Economic Dialogue Forum to represent issues of importance to NFVSP members.

16/05/26: National Federation Pre-Budget 2027 Submission was shared with Minister Chambers, An Tánaiste, Minister Foley, and Minister Higgins.

18/08/26: Email sent by NFVSP Member Carol O'Donnell to Deputy O'Cearuil introducing Alison Harnett and offering follow up information on sustainability of service providers and mechanisms to expand capacity within the sector.

20/05/26: Alison Harnett texted Colm O'Conaill to request a short phonecall regarding access to capital funding for disability service providers.

21/07/26: A meeting was held between Minister Higgins and a delegation from the NFVSP Chairperson's Network, as well as Alison Harnett and Michael Hennessy. The following items were discussed: 1. Proposals for expansion of residential & respite services, planning pipeline and addressing barriers 2. Federation focus on innovation to respond to presenting need and future planning 3. Remaining sustainability challenges

24/05/26: Letter addressed to Ministers Foley and Higgins was shared. It was signed by 19 Section 38/39 voluntary disability service providers and sought a meeting to discuss potential increased capacity developments, and avenues to address remaining sustainability challenges facing some service providers.

26/05/26: A delegation from the NFVSP attended the Department of Children, Disability and Equality Pre-Estimates Event.

26/08/26: Following a request for further information by Minister Higgins, Alison Harnett shared a paper on developments across the sector, including the positive impact of sustainability funding received in 2026. This paper also examined enablers which if actioned could further enhance the ability of service providers to respond to unmet need for disability services.

Members of the Disability Political Engagement Group attended the Green Party Ard Fheis 28th February and 1st March 2026.

Members of the Disability Political Engagement Group attended the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis on 24th and 25th April 2026.

Members of the Disability Political Engagement Group attended the Social Democrats Ard Fheis on 7th February 2026.

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.

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.

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.