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 Sep, 2022

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022

Specific Details In response to an announcement from the Department of Education relating to the establishment of "Special Education Centres" and a shortage of appropriate school places for Autistic students we lobbied for emergency legislation and associated measures to address the issue

Intended results Emergency legislation to streamline the Section 37A process Ensure no "special education centres" were established Better forward planning and engagement with parents by the Department of Education and NCSE

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.

Social Media (6-10)

We tweeted our concerns to the Taoiseach and Minister Josepha Madigan

Phone call (2-5)

We engaged with Minister Josepha Madigan's Special Advisor

Informal communication (6-10)

We engaged with Minister Josepha Madigan's Special Advisor

Meeting (2-5)

We attended a number of meetings of the Special Education Forum which included, at various points, Minister Josepha Madigan, Colin Clarke, John Kearney, Martina Mannion, Hubert Loftus and other senior officials

Phone call (2-5)

Spoke to Aodhan O'Riordan in relation to the issue

Informal communication (11-20)

Engaged with Deputy Donnachadh O'Laoghaire in relation to the issue

Meeting (1)

Met with Deputy Aodhan O'Riordan and Senator Mark Wall to discuss the issue

Event / Reception (1)

Met An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, at an Ireland Funds dinner and discussed the issue with him

Phone call (6-10)

Spoke to John Kearney in relation to the issue

Informal communication (2-5)

Stayed in contact with John Kearney on the issue

Meeting (2-5)

Met with John Kearney and discussed the issue

Virtual Meeting (1)

Held a virtual meeting with Senator Eileen Flynn to discuss the issue and a Seanad Commencement Matter

Informal communication (11-20)

Engaged further with Senator Flynn's office on the commencement matter

Phone call (1)

Spoke to Senator Lynn Ruane on the issue

Informal communication (6-10)

Engaged further with Senator Lynn Ruane 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.

Hubert Loftus Assistant Secretary (Department of Education)

Martina Mannion Assistant Secretary (Department of Education)

Josepha Madigan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Colin Clarke Special Adviser (Department of Education)

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

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mark Wall Senator (Seanad)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eileen Flynn Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Ruane Senator (Seanad)