Irish Association of Social Workers

Politician(s) lobbied: David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Sarah donnelly made a talk to sinn fein with david culinane on adult safeguarding. key provision of Adult safeguarding

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Ian Power (Adviser to Minister of State), Department of Health

Intent: Inform mary butlers aide, Special Advisor Ian power, we asked to have social work included in mental health consultations.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: asking Claire Kerrane to follow up on the article in the inquirer to put a correction in as a PQ to fact check some stats in the article

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Ian Power (Adviser to Minister of State), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health

Intent: children who need services can access them and access them on time.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Education; Elizabeth Canavan (Assistant Secretary), Department of the Taoiseach; Una Doyle (Director), Probation Service; Kate Duggan (Chief Executive Officer), Child and Family Agency (Tusla)

Intent: Significant Increase in Resources for Youth Justice Diversion Programs: We need to enhance the capacity of programs that engage young people before they enter the justice system[MH1.1]. Including targeted early intervention and prevention programmes.::Targeted Engagement: Specialised resources must be directed toward young people identified as being at high risk of engaging in criminality, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds.::Enhanced Youth Facilities: We call for the provision of increased youth activities and clubs with later opening hours to provide safe, stable environments for vulnerable children where they can build relationships with positive role models based in their own communities.::Statutory Footing for the National Review Panel: The remit of the National Review Panel must be urgently expanded and put on a statutory footing to examine all unexpected child deaths, not only those children already known to state agencies.::A Full Systemic Review: A comprehensive

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: 1. Undertake a comprehensive national review of residential care for children with disabilities, involving all relevant agencies, professionals, children, and families, ensuring that their voices and lived experiences inform future service design::2. Introduce legislative reform to ensure that all children in State-funded residential care—regardless of the responsible agency—have equal statutory protections, independent oversight, and access to a statutory appointed allocated Social Worker with all decisions grounded in the child’s best interests and rights.::3. Establish a national governance and oversight framework that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, standards, and escalation pathways, and ensures that children’s voices are heard and families are meaningfully involved in decisions about their care.::4. Provide ring-fenced, multi-annual funding and implement standardised national procedures to reduce reliance on crisis-led placements, with a strong focus on forward planning

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: A response to our shared concerns pertaining to older persons care in congregated settings and in the community

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Manus Boyle (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Nicole Ryan (Senator), Seanad

Intent: calling for immediate state intervention to ensure residents can either remain in place with additional support or transition only when clinically appropriate and dignified.::• Reform of the 'Fair Deal' (NHSS) Funding Model: The state must adjust funding to provide higher, targeted support for 'high-complexity' residents in private care, removing the financial incentive for providers to evict them when their profit margins shrink.::• Legislative Reform of the Health Act 2007: The Act must be amended to provide Security of Tenure. No resident should be evicted for increased needs without an independent clinical audit and a minimum of 90 days’ notice.::• Investment in Public Care Infrastructure: The state must reduce its over-reliance on the private sector and increase investment in public and community-based care like supported housing and plan for a continuum of care. This will provide a public safety net for the most complex cases.::• Access to Specialist Social Work Support: Speciali

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: Establishing a Government-mandated National Working Group to review foster care policy, legislation, and resources. Implementing cross-departmental coordination (Education, Health, and Children) to ensure foster families have priority access to childcare and therapeutic interventions. Developing a national strategy to incentivise new carers through improved financial packages and professional recognition.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: IASW calls on the Government to Establish a formal timeline for the total elimination of SEAs. Legislate to expand HIQA’s powers to include the mandatory registration and inspection of all SEA and private residential settings. Mandate minimum professional staffing levels. Invest significantly in foster care and kinship care to make it a stable option for families. Urgent review of the aftercare system to ensure that children leaving care have supports.

Methods: Email