The Psychological Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Psychological Society of Ireland

Date published 21 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Invited opening statement to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, addressing reform of the Assessment of Need (AON) process and broader children’s services, including workforce, resourcing, and integration.

Intended results To ensure AON reforms protect statutory rights, remain evidence-informed, and support timely access to services; to advocate for workforce planning, integration of children’s services, and consultation with psychologists and stakeholders; and to promote a person-centred, clinically sound, and rights-based approach in legislative and service reforms.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sarah Cassidy, PSI President and Lauren Burns, PSI Council Member

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 (1)

Delivered an opening statement on the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 to highlight unmet needs, workforce capacity, AON process integrity, and the need for integrated, evidence-informed, and child-centred services.

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.

Laura Harmon Senator (Seanad)

Tom Clonan Senator (Seanad)

Maria Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Nikki Bradley Senator (Seanad)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony Senator (Seanad)

Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gillian Toole TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Liam Quaide TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kiera Keogh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seamus Healy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Carrigy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Maurice Quinlivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)