Disability Federation of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Disability Federation of Ireland

Date published 20 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Local Government

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Implementation of the UN CRPD at local level

Intended results For key recommendations from DFI's commissioned research 'Bridging the Gap: Local Authorities and Disability Inclusion' to be implemented (summary and full report available on DFI website at: https://www.disability-federation.ie/dfi-and-local-government1/bridging-the-gap-local-authiorities-and-disability.html)

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Elaine Teague, Emer Begley, Laura O'Callaghan

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

Mass communications

Email All Councillors Mass mailout sent on 04/03/25 to all Councillors - calling for all Local Authorities to put forward and pass a motion calling for action on disability inclusion at Local Authority level in line with Article 4 of the UN CRPD.

Email All Local Authority Members Mass mailout sent on 04/03/25 to all Chief Executives of Local Authorities - calling for all Local Authorities to pass a motion calling for action on disability inclusion at Local Authority level in line with Article 4 of the UN CRPD.

Email All Oireachtas Members Mass mailout sent on 04/03/25 to all Political Party Disability Spokespersons - calling for all Local Authorities to pass a motion calling for action on disability inclusion at Local Authority level in line with Article 4 of the UN CRPD.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

Launch of the research report 'Bridging the Gap: Local Authorities and Disability Inclusion' on 28/01/25 attended by local government officers, representatives from relevant public bodies, researchers, policy experts, and community advocates to discuss the findings of the research, share perspectives, and chart a path forward for meaningful change.

Email (6-10)

7 Emails sent on 31/01/25 to Minister James Browne, Minister Norma Foley, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Niall Brunnell, David Walsh, Gerry Tully, and Bernard O'Regan regarding the 'Bridging the Gap: Local Authorities and Disability Inclusion' research recommendations, seeking a meeting to discuss and advance these.

Meeting (2-5)

Subsequent meetings held in relation to the research report with: - Barry Heneghan TD on 07/02/25. - Niall Brunnell and Sarah O'Brien on 14/02/25.

Email (1)

1 Email sent to the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) Assistant Chief Executive, Eddie O'Loughlin, on 18/03/25 including a copy of the research report and seeking a meeting to discuss the research findings, and to explore how the LGMA can further support Local Authorities to become more inclusive.

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.

James Browne Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State (Department of Health)