Epilepsy Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Epilepsy Ireland

Date published 19 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details Providing information about the opening of the Free Travel scheme to elected representatives; thanking them for support; and liaising with Minister Humphreys and team to publicise changes to the scheme.

Intended results To raise awareness of the changes to the free travel scheme amongst elected representatives.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Paddy McGeoghegan

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

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members Informing all TDs and Senators of the applications being open for the new Free Travel Scheme in May and thanking them for their support. Providing details about how their constituents can apply for the scheme.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Inviting Minister Humphreys to our National Conference to speak about the changes to the Free Travel scheme

Social Media (6-10)

Tagging Minister Humphreys in posts about the introduction of the new Free Travel scheme for those medically unfit to drive.

Informal communication (6-10)

Liaising with Minister Advisors on launches associated with Free Travel in May and July

Email (2-5)

Thanking Minister Carroll MacNeill, Deputies Costello, Moynihan, Ó Cathasaigh and Sentor McGreehan for their support for our Free Travel campaign

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.

Niall O'Connor Special Adviser (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Pauric McPhillips Special Adviser (Department of Social Protection)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Patrick Costello TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister of State (Department of Finance)

Erin McGreehan Senator (Seanad)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)