Galway Autism Partnership CLG

Lobbying Organisation Galway Autism Partnership CLG

Date published 14 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details GAP staff contacted public representatives to express the concern of our members in regards to the Department of Education's plans for remote learning and education during the covif-19 pandemic and recovery.

Intended results Further consideration of a selection of educational options for children with disabilities during the covid-19 pandemic and recovery GAP also called on the Department of Health to reverse their decision to redeploy essential health staff including Speech and Language therapists and Occupational Therapists for the purposes of contact tracing and testing.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Aisling Colreavy

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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Contact your local Public Representative with a template email / letter

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Councillors All Galway City and Galway County Councilors contacted via email. Public representatives contacted in regards to the provision of education and therapeutic services for children and young people with additional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. GAP requested that public representatives raise the issues outlined with Minister for Education Norma Foley, Minister of State for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte, and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan. Requested that careful consideration be given to ensure that a suite of education options including in-school supports, remote tuition and class time and parent support be offered. GAP also called on the Department of Health to reverse their decision to redeploy essential health staff including Speech and Language therapists and Occupational Therapists for the purposes of contact tracing and testing.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Public representatives contacted in regards to the provision of education and therapeutic services for children and young people with additional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. GAP requested that public representatives raise the issues outlined with Minister for Education Norma Foley, Minister of State for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte, and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan. Requested that careful consideration be given to ensure that a suite of education options including in-school supports, remote tuition and class time and parent support be offered. GAP also called on the Department of Health to reverse their decision to redeploy essential health staff including Speech and Language therapists and Occupational Therapists for the purposes of contact tracing and testing.

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.

Anne Rabbitte Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)

Josepha Madigan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Catherine Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Noel Grealish TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kyne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Canney TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciaran Cannon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)