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 Health

Period 1 Jan, 2026 to 30 Apr, 2026

Specific Details Sought support for the full implementation of (and extension of the lifespan) of the current Autism Innovation Strategy and implementation of government commitment to place the strategy on a statutory footing

Intended results Implementation of the current strategy and an extension of its lifespan A new Autism Innovation Strategy provided for in legislation

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.

Informal communication (6-10)

Raised the issue with Minister Higgins at AsIAm events the Minister attended

Phone call (11-20)

Engaged with the Minister's office by phone

Event / Reception (1)

Invited Minister Foley to launch the AsIAm Strategy which placed an emphasis on the importance of the Autism Innovation Strategy as a key priority for our organisation

Phone call (2-5)

Liaised with Minister Foley's office

Email (2-5)

Liaised with Minister Foley's office

Email (6-10)

Engaged with Minister Higgins office

Phone call (6-10)

Engaged with Deputy Carrigy as Chair of the All Party Group on Autism

Meeting (6-10)

Discussed issue at meetings of the All Party Gruop on Autism

Event / Reception (1)

Hosted Minister Higgins at the launch of our Same Chance Report in which we explicitly called for the Strategy to be legislated for

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.

Emer Higgins Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Treasa Kelly Special Advisor (Department of Social Protection)

Micheál Carrigy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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

Michael Brennan Special Adviser (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Grace Boland TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gillian Toole TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Barry Heneghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charles Ward TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Geoghegan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Buckley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pádraig O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Donnelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Naoise Ó Muirí TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jen Cummins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)