Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aubrey McCarthy (Senator), Seanad; Mark Duffy (Senator), Seanad; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Carol Nolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Danny Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Heneghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Series of briefings with members of the Oireachtas to discuss Vision Ireland’s Budget Submission and draw attention to our main asks for 2027.
Methods: Meeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Finance; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Intent: Forwarding Vision Ireland’s Pre-Budget Submission and calling for measures across Government Departments to better support people who are blind or vision impaired.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice; Colm Brophy (Minister of State), Department of Justice
Intent: Giving consideration to Temporary Protection beneficiaries who are vision impaired following the Directive’s expiry.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Clare Mungovan (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Clare Costello (Assistant Secretary), Department of Finance; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cian O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Amending the reclaim process for mainstream tech, and applying a zero rate at point of sale for dedicated tech.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Carol Nolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Resolving inequity of access within the Midlands for people seeking to access aids designed to overcome vision impairment.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aubrey McCarthy (Senator), Seanad
Intent: Sharing information on the need for a National Vision Strategy and blueprint for eye health.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Social Protection; Craig Dwyer (Special Advisor), Department of Social Protection; Donal Spellman (Assistant Secretary), Department of Social Protection; John Paul O'Shea (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Johnny Guirke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; William Aird (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat the Cope Gallagher (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sarah O'Reilly (Senator), Seanad; Eoin Hayes (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Increasing the capital disregard for Blind Pension so that it aligns with limits for Disability Allowance.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Moderating the Blind Welfare Allowance means test so that eligibility extends to older adults with private pension income.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Simon Harris (Minister), Department of Finance; Pauric McPhillips (Special Advisor to the Tanaiste), Department of the Taoiseach; Neale Richmond (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Increasing the Blind Tax Credit in Budget 2027.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Bríd Murphy (Adviser to Minister), Department of Health; Niall Redmond (Assistant Secretary), Department of Health; Colm Burke (Minister of State), Department of Health; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Resolving regional discrepancies in funding aids and appliances for medical cardholders who are vision impaired.
Methods: Email
