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 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2026 to 30 Apr, 2026

Specific Details Campaigned to secure appropriate school places for every Autistic children for the 2026/27 academic year

Intended results Provision of the required number of appropriate school places (mainstream, special class and special school) for Autistic children for the coming academic year Secure a pause to proposed roll-out of "Inclusive Special Classes"

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.

Event / Reception (1)

Hosted an information webinar on "Inclusive Special Classes" which John Kearney participated in

Phone call (1)

Spoke to Minister Moynihan by phone

Virtual Meeting (1)

Held a virtual meeting with Minister Moynihan

Email (2-5)

Wrote to both Ministers on the issue requesting a meeting

Phone call (6-10)

Engaged with Minister Moynihan's Special Advisor

Meeting (2-5)

Met separately with Minister Moynihan and Minister Naughton's Special Advisors

Phone call (6-10)

Engaged with CEO of NCSE on issue

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Met regularly with CEO of NCSE on the issue

Informal communication (2-5)

Discussed the issue with Cllr McAdam and Deputy Geoghegan informally at separate events

Phone call (2-5)

Briefed opposition spokespersons on the issue

Phone call (2-5)

Spoke to Deputy Carrigy on the issue

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.

John Kearney Chief Executive Officer (The National Council for Special Education)

Bernie McNally Secretary General (Department of Education)

Martina Mannion Assistant Secretary (Department of Education)

Noel Byrne Adviser to Minister of State (Department of Education)

Michael Moynihan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State (Department of Education)

Jen Cummins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ray McAdam Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Micheál Carrigy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Geoghegan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)