Emer Higgins

Implementation of the neuro-rehabilitation strategy/Implementation Framework

Funding secured in budget 2027

To support a service user to advocate for people with disabilities at the Fine Gael Disability Conference. ::To seek support from Fine Gael for a cost of disability payment to be included in the next budget.

To secure meetings with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and the Minister of State for Disability to introduce the newly appointed CEO of Rehab Group, Laura Keane::To discuss work of Rehab Group and the funding challenges facing Section 39 organisations…

Access to: 1. Risdiplam for adults with SMA; 2 Givinostat for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; 3. Skyclarys for people living with Friedreich's ataxia.

Understanding of and support for the programme for government commitment to the roll-out of Autism One-Stop Shop / Community Support Hubs

Implementation of the current strategy and an extension of its lifespan::A new Autism Innovation Strategy provided for in legislation

Ensuring the right to access autism assessment and autism specific services in health/education is strengthened in any reform of the Disability Act

Secure funding to maintain and expand the AAC Support Programme

Support for our World Autism Day / Month campaign and increased understanding of and support for addressing the barriers experienced by Autistic people in Irish society

Ministerial attendance at the DPAF launch to highlight our €13.5m partnership with Department Children, Equality and Disability and linked new national disability strategy. Our objective to secure ministerial backing, demonstrating how our model direct grants with strategic…

To raise awareness of the high level of unregulated digital unhealthy food marketing that children are exposed to online, to the detriment of their health. ::To secure support for greater regulation of digital food marketing. ::To secure attendance to a meeting of the Oireachtas…

The correspondence referenced European analysis suggesting a substantial proportion of vaping products circulating within the EU may be entering through irregular or illegal channels. It warned that weak enforcement, cross-border purchasing and online sales create risks for…

The correspondence warned the Bill could push adult smokers back to cigarettes and fuel an illegal market. Over 350,000 adults vape in Ireland, with more than half having quit smoking entirely, yet the Bill would effectively ban the flavours used by 97% of adult vapers.…

We attended an online briefing with members of the DPO Network held over Zoom chaired by the Minister of State for Disability Emer Higgins and Officials from the Disability Policy unit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on Proposed Amendments to the Assisted…