Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

Lobbying Organisation Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point Ltd, Trading as AsIAm

Date published 21 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details AsIAm operates an Autism-Friendly Towns Programme. In the context of this initiative we have been contacted by or worked with a number of public representatives who wish to bring the project to their locality, often with the support of the local authority. This engagement often includes supporting local authorities or DPOs on the specific actions which their community could take towards becoming an Autism-Friendly Town or Community

Intended results Improved accessibility for Autistic people in local communities across Ireland

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Adam Harris

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (6-10)

Held a number of meetings with the Lord Mayor of Dublin to plan Dublin's participation in the programme and subsequent associated actions

Informal communication (11-20)

Kept in touch with the Lord Mayor on the progress of the initiative

Email (6-10)

Kept in touch with the Lord Mayor on the progress of the initiative

Event / Reception (1)

Attended a launch of the initiative in Drogheda which was hosted by the Labour Party. Ged Nash was in attendance and the meeting was hosted by Cllr Emma Cutlip

Event / Reception (6-10)

Co-hosted the launch of the Dublin Autism-Friendly City initiative with the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Attended a subsequent launch event for a locality within the city hosted by Involved Autism in which the Lord Mayor also attended and participated. At this event also met with Cllr James Geoghegan. Also attended the Mansion House to host an Autism-Friendly Santa Experience as part of the initiative and spoke to the Lord Mayor

Virtual Meeting (1)

Attended a meeting with Labour Party councillors and candidates on the roll-out of the Autism-Friendly Towns programme and how communities could get involved.

Event / Reception (1)

Hosted a training event for Castlebar Autism-Friendly Towns in which a number of public representative attended including Cllr Ger Deere and Cllr Donna Sheridan

Event / Reception (1)

Hosted the launch of the new intake of Autism-Friendly Towns at which Killarney was represented by Cllr Marie Moloney

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Daithí De Róiste Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Marie Moloney Councillor (Kerry County Council)

Emma Cutlip Councillor (Louth County council)

Ged Nash TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ger Deere Councillor (Mayo County Council)

Donna Sheridan Councillor (Mayo County Council)

Carrie Smyth Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)

Dermot Lacey Councillor (Dublin City Council)