Disability Federation of Ireland Newsletter OCTOBER 2008

Issued on October 1 2008

Pre- Budget Submission 2009 - €53m diverted from disability and mental health in 2007

DFI held its annual Pre-Budget Discussion Forum in the Mansion House on 2nd October 2008. DFI highlighted the fact that €53m of allocated funding for disability and mental health services has been taken by the HSE and diverted to other areas during 2007 according to the Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and further funding has been diverted this year.

John Dolan, Chief Executive of DFI, noted ‘ the Government’s strong action to act as guarantor to the banking and commercial sector’ . He said that

Government does not run the banks yet it considered it necessary to come to their aid in the interest of the country. It is time that they take similar action and guarantee that disabled people get back the funding that it allocated to them”.

DFI reminded Government that they have a commitment to prioritise disability and therefore its resources need to be protected. Government was urged to continue the multi-annual investment programme, to ensure that the HSE cannot take allocated funding for other programmes, and to resource and support capacity building work of the sector to deliver the National Disability Strategy.

John Dolan CEO

NEW MEMBERS

St Marys Centre, Dublin

DFI would like to welcome St Mary’s Centre to our growing membership. The aim of St. Mary’s Centre (Teleford) is to provide care and accommodation to blind elderly ladies and provide support and assistance as required. The organisation promotes all residents to be as independent and active as possible and integrate in their local community.

Further information on St Mary’s Centre and other DFI member organisations can be found on our website .

HEALTH

Service Level Agreement Meeting with HSE

On 1st September a meeting took place in DFI’s office in Dublin between DFI member organisations and the HSE in relation to the draft Service Level Agreements (SLAs). The HSE was represented by Ger Reaney, Lead Health Manager for Disability Services and Project Manager, Implementation of the Disability Act, and Jim Sullivan, from the National Business Support Unit. DFI held a meeting with its general membership in May this year to discuss the draft SLAs and to address the concerns of member organisations. Since then DFI provided members with updates in relation to progress on discussions with the HSE.

The purpose of the October meeting was to provide an opportunity for organisations to raise any further concerns that they had, and to make observations directly to the HSE. Ger Reaney outlined the background to the new draft SLAs, and a presentation was made by Jim Sullivan. DFI member organisations had the opportunity to put some questions to the HSE representatives, and to add their comments and voice their concerns on various aspects of the SLA process.

Notes of the meeting are being prepared and will be available shortly.

National Review of Adult Funded Day Services

The HSE Review of Adult funded Day Services is reaching a crucial point in the process and is now heading in to what the HSE is calling the Demonstration Phase.

In this part of the process, the HSE will hold events in each of the four HSE regions to enable shared learning between service users and providers regarding recent innovations and service changes that is reflective to the four key themes that have been identified in the process:

• Community integration
• Person centred planning
• Collaborative working
• The development of advocacy.

The HSE is looking for organisations who can present examples of innovative practice in each of the above four key areas.

If you wish to participate in this or with further information please do not hesitate to contact me on 01 708 0108/086 388 2600 or at jacquelinethomson@disability-federation.ie by Monday 13th October at 2pm at the latest.

Further information about the process can also be found at www.dayservicereview.ie

HIQA Draft Standards for Residential Services

HIQA, the Health Information and Quality Authority, has published draft National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities. The standards will provide a national framework to set out what a quality, safe service for people with disabilities in a residential service in Ireland should be.

Dr. Marion Witton, Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate at the Health Information and Quality Authority said

“The draft standards published today for consultation have been developed with input from those who use the service, their representatives and advocates, together with those who provide and deliver the service.”

“Our overall aim in creating the draft standards is to promote good, safe practice. We hope they will encourage the continuous quality improvement of residential services for people with disabilities in the coming years. The National Quality Standards outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a service user, their family and the public can expect to receive in residential care settings. I firmly believe they will contribute towards allowing people with disabilities to live in a safe, caring and respectful environment.”

The standards are grouped under seven headings which address issues such as quality of life, staffing, protection, development and health, rights, the physical environment and governance and management. Taken together, they aim to set out what a good quality service for people with disabilities should be.

The Authority is now consulting with interested parties and the general public on the draft National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities. The Authority is also inviting members of the public, residents, staff and other interested parties to submit their views.

Information collected from this consultation process will be used to inform the development of the final set of standards later this year.

Following their completion, regulations will be drafted by the Department of Health and Children to give statutory effect to the new standards. These will form the first registration of residential services for people with disabilities. All centres providing residential services will then be inspected against these standards.

Members of the public and interested parties wishing to submit their views on the draft National Quality Standards: Residential Settings for People with Disabilities can do so until Friday, 31st October 2008 by completing the online feedback form or writing to: Residential Care Standards Feedback, Health Information and Quality Authority, Social Services Inspectorate, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin 2. Submissions can also be emailed to: consultation@hiqa.ie .

If you have any questions regarding this please contact Jacqueline Thomson, Support Officer, DFI at 01 454 7978 or at jacquelinethomson@disability-federation.ie .

National Physical and Sensory Disability Database (NPSDD )

We are pleased to announce that a demonstration of the NPSDD system will take place on the morning of Thursday 30th October 2008. This session is an opportunity to see how information is recorded and managed on the system, in addition to showing how the information is used and reported.

If you would like to find out more information on the NPSDD and/or the demonstration on 30th October please contact Mary-Ann O’Donovan at (01) 2345117 or modonovan@hrb.ie

Attendance at this session must be confirmed with Mary-Ann O’Donovan (contact as above) no later than Friday 17th October 2008.

HSE Publication: ‘Improving our Services – A Users Guide to Managing Change in the Health Service Executive’

The HSE has developed the above document, a guide for users in managing change in the HSE. The guide was developed to assist users in bringing about improvements in the system, and it sets out a comprehensive approach to planning and implementing change, with particular emphasis on engaging with the many groups that are involved in the change process, including staff, teams, parents, service users and representatives of organisations. The document provides information on the context and background to the change proves, and the process adopted in the development of the HSE Change Model. Download document from: www.hse.ie/eng/publications/human_resources/improving_our_services.pdf

TOWARDS 2016

Review of Towards 2016

After the announcement of a draft agreement on pay and conditions in September, the Department of the Taoiseach presented to the Community and Voluntary Pillar a draft review of the life cycle framework of Towards 2016 . The document was much shorter and more general than the original agreement; it represents a stock-taking after almost more than two years of implementation.

While highlighting the changed environment in which the social partners are operating, the draft review reaffirmed the long term goals that had been established in 2006. The document outlined a set of guiding principles to guide the reprioritisation of actions under the agreement. The development of indicators to reveal the extent of progress towards the agreed goals was also proposed.

The Pillar representatives pointed out the importance of strengthening the principle of protecting the vulnerable members of society and preventing the erosion of Ireland’s social infrastructrure, which is dependent on continued revenue funding by government. The impact of rising fuel and food prices and the importance of investment in primary health care, mental health care and long term care were specifically mentioned.

After all the social partners commented on the draft review, it was considered by members of the Steering Group on 18 September. DFI will be receiving copies of the review that is agreed by the partners.Should you require a copy please contact Jacinta Dixon at jacintadixon@disability-federation.ie

Bi-lateral Meeting with the Office for Children and Youth Affairs

The Community and Voluntary Pillar of the social partnership met with senior officials at the Office for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) to review progress towards the long term goals for children committed to in Towards 2016. DFI led in reviewing the situation from the perspective of children with a disability. The need to protect the most vulnerable in the face of a difficult fiscal and economic environment was the over-riding theme at the meeting.

It was noted that there were significant concerns relating to the six month report about existing gaps in services identified under the Independent Assessment of Need, to be published in October, as required by the Disability Act 2005. However the Government representative cautioned about the meaningfulness of the findings, especially given that only 60 children aged 0-5 years will be included. He added that health and education officials are negotiating arrangements for coverage of children with a disability aged 5-18 years, but could give no time frame for the commencement.

The inclusion of children with a disability in Towards 2016 initiatives, such as the child care investment programme managed by OMCYA, was also discussed. The long term costs resulting from the Government’s failure to introduce child and adolescent mental health teams at the rate promised was highlighted by the Pillar members.

NATIONAL DISABILITY STRATEGY (NDS)

Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently met with the consultation group to inform them about the proposed content of the Strategy. Targets committed to elsewhere are to be reaffirmed, such as the increase by 7,000 of people with a disability in employment by 2010. Although an action plan has yet to be designed, the Department outlined some features planned for the Strategy, which it was highlighted, depend heavily on good inter-agency collaboration. These include:

• Develop a one-stop-shop or gateway for assessing people with a disability seeking training or work, building on the experience with joint working across agencies under an initiative to support lone parents.
• Improve services that help people prepare for employment, for example, by building bridging programmes between FÁS and the HSE.
• Reduce the work requirement under the Supported Employment Scheme from18 to 8 hours per week
• Reform the Wage Subsidy Scheme, including seeking extension of Medical Card eligibility to participants indefinitely as well as retention of the link to the participant’s Disability Allowance status
• Establish links between education and training to employment
• Job retention measures
• Employer-oriented initiatives

Members of the consultative group welcomed the emphasis on inter-agency working, but several cautioned about the gateway proposal, highlighting the complexity and diversity of people with a disability who would be clients. They pointed out that a gateway could easily be perceived as a hurdle to be overcome by those clients. The need to support and prepare people to access mainstream services was repeatedly named as essential. The group will revisit the issue again in October when the Strategy will have been developed further.

Local/ National Government

Review of Housing Associations Sector

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is tendering for a project to review the role of the voluntary housing sector. It is planned to have the review completed within six months.

The Irish Council for Social Housing has indicated a number of issues that it expects the review to address, including access to land for building projects and building the governance capacity of voluntary organisations.

A recent study by the Council estimated that 82 housing associations were providing 2,064 units for people with disabilities across 267 schemes. The voluntary disability sector will want to contribute to the review, and DFI will liaise with members of its Housing Subgroup on this issue.

Local Government Disability Action Plan Conference

John Dolan, CEODFI, spoke at the conference which was organised by the Disability Act Steering Group of the Local Government Management Services Board, the body that guides Local Authorities implementing their obligations under the Act and the Sectoral Plan of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The conference was entitled Promoting Accessibility to Local Authority Services , with Local Authority staff from across the country listening to presentations and then participating in workshops to share experience with good practice in providing accessibility for people at every stage of the life cycle.

John Dolan’s talk focussed on the need for local authority staff to talk with people with a disability and the voluntary organisations who work with them. He explained why effective consultation with the disability sector would allow the authorities to do their job better, underlining the wide scope of the National Disability Strategy and its implications for the work of local authorities. At the same time he emphasised the importance of getting sector-wide representation of disability, and suggested how we can collaborate more effectively. For example, he urged local authority staff to find out about the expertise available in voluntary disability organisations operating in their area.

Information about the Steering Group’s work is available at www.la-accessibility.ie/

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups Training & Support Service
MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME November-December 2008

The Carmichael Centre provides an annual training programme targeting the unique needs of all those working within the community & voluntary sector, in both a volunteer and paid capacity. We aim to develop the strength of the sector by enhancing present successful work with current management methods to ensure sustainable progress of organisations into the long term.

For further information and a booking form, see www.carmichaelcentre.ie .

The Wheel: Training Events

Date Location Event

Oct

• 1st Dublin CEO Breakfast Briefing
• 8th Cork Getting to Grips with Governance
• 14th Limerick Members Policy Workshop
• 15th Dublin Open IT - Manage Your Communications
• 22nd Tullamore Getting to Grips with Governance
• 29th Kilkenny Members Policy Workshop

Nov

• 4th Dublin Getting to Grips with Governance
• 5th Limerick Open IT - Discover the Power of Technology for Your Organisation
• 12th Waterford Getting to Grips with Governance
• 18th Dublin Enchancing Communications for Your Organisation
• 26th Sligo Getting to Grips with Governance

Dec

• 04 Kilkenny Enchancing Communications for your Organisation
• 10th Galway Getting to Grips with Governance
• 11th Dublin CEO Breakfast Briefing

Further information from www.wheel.ie

Funding: POBAL Grants on Offer for Voluntary Organisations

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs is inviting applications from community and voluntary organisations for funding for refurbishment, equipment and training. Both the refurbishment and equipment grants are for organisations with an income under €100,000 per year.

The grants will be made to a range of local community and voluntary organisations with a focus on addressing disadvantage or where evidence of need has been clearly identified in their communities.

The training grants are to enhance the capacity and activities of both people and organisations working in the community and voluntary sector at local level and nationally to provide better quality services to the people they support.

These Programmes are part funded from funds made available by the National Lottery. There is no closing date for receipt of completed applications, however, as funding is limited, organisations are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible.

A series of information sessions are being held by Pobal in October 2008. Details are on their site. www.pobal.ie

Boardmatch

“The database of quality professionals from the corporate and business world, wanting to bring their skills and experiences to not for profit boards via Boardmatch Ireland‘s matching service, must be one of the sector’s best kept secrets!”

So noted Graham Whitehead, who joined Boardmatch Ireland as Chief Executive at the beginning of July 2008. His first impression of the calibre of people wanting to volunteer on boards of not for profit organisations was extremely favourable.

“There are over 400 professionals signed up to volunteer on boards with skills in finance, management, human resources and project development, amongst others. There are a range of people registered with us, ranging from recently retired senior managers to young executives, all wanting to give something back and be involved at strategic level on boards.”

At present, there are also more than 150 board positions advertised on the matching service, which can be accessed via the website, details below .

“Our aim in the next few months is to make sure that this is no longer a secret and encourage many more organisations in the sector to utilise the service. If your board needs refreshing then, perhaps, Boardmatch Ireland’s free, web based matching service might provide you with some new people.”

Boardmatch Ireland’s service is just one of many tools available for boards of not for profit organisations to enhance their governance practice.
Website: www.boardmatchireland.ie

GENERAL NEWS AND EVENTS

The Wheel: Partnering for Success Conference

When: 20th November.
Where: Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin 3.
Time: 9am – 5pm. Registration from 9:00am.

Geared towards leaders within the community and voluntary sector, including management, administrators and board members, this unique conference will help non-profit organisations to forge the strong and productive relationships with the corporate sector.

The objectives of this unique one day event include:

• sharing best practice between corporate and voluntary sectors
• fostering and developing ongoing relationships
• addressing key challenges for leaders in the community and voluntary sector

The keynote speaker for the day will be Mark Butcher, a leading non-profit consultant and author based in the UK. Mr Butcher’s address for the day will be entitled, “ The Latest Thinking on Leadership Skills for Surviving and Thriving” .

Breakout workshops taking place during the course of the day include:

• Management
• Fundraising
• Technology
• Governance

This conference is supported by GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Foundation, Microsoft and the Ulster Bank Group. Consultancy support comes from Enclude, Evolve, Recruitment Plus and W&A. The Wheel is providing administrative and logistical support with the Carmichael Centre. The full agenda & registration details will be available in the coming weeks by The Wheel.

National Disability Authority Egress Conference

The National Disability Authority is holding ' Safe Evacuation for All' , a one day conference on safe evacuation and egress for people with disabilities. This event will take place on Thursday 13 November 2008 at the City North Hotel (just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport).

The conference will be of interest to anyone involved in preparing for and carrying out evacuations, including health and safety professionals, engineers (fire engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, design engineers), architects, fire services personnel, facilities/accommodation personnel, human resources personnel, people with disabilities, their families and representative organisations. Speakers include:

• Kevin McGuire, CEO and Chairperson of McGuire Associates Inc , (US consulting firm that specialises in evacuation planning for people with disabilities)
• Rob Ellingham, Senior Fire Engineer, The Fire Strategy Company (formerly fire fighter and Fire Engineer with London Fire Brigade)
• Dr Karen Boyce, Lecturer, Fire Safety Engineering, University of Ulster
• Michael McGlennon, Associate Director, Fire Engineering, White Young Green
• Shane Hogan, Senior Standards Officer, National Disability Authority

There will be dedicated breakout sessions targeted at:

• building designers (architects, engineers etc)
• fire services (fire service personnel, fire engineers)
• building managers (health and safety personnel, human resources personnel, facilities/accommodation personnel)

Substantial time has been allocated for questions and answers with the expert panel to allow discussion and review of your own particular issues. Places are limited, so please book early. To book, call 01 - 608 0447 or email the EtA Team at eta@nda.ie . There is no fee for this event.

AHEAD 20th Annual Conference
What’s good about our teaching, and what could we learn from it?

29th October 2008
Registration 8.30am
Venue: John Hume Building, North Campus, NUI Maynooth
Conference Fee:
Members - €100 Non-members - €150
Attached invitation in Word and PDF Format

Contact:
AHEAD
01 716 4396
Email: ahead@ahead.ie
Web: www.ahead.ie

CARA
Adapted Physical Activity Centre and Sports Inclusion Disability Officers

The CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre is a national centre established to promote and develop quality sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities at the Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry with Niamh Daffy, as Coordinator : 066-7145646 niamh.daffy@staff.ittralee.ie

The centre plays a key role coordinating the developments of 21 newly appointed Sports Inclusion Disability Officers within Local Sports Partnerships throughout Ireland. The role of the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO) within the partnership structure is to promote greater sport and physical activity participation for people with disabilities. National SIDO objectives have been developed by the CARA APA Centre, these include, establishing new clubs/sessions, supporting existing clubs, providing information and advice on disability sport, organising and delivering education and training courses, improving access and supporting the developments of a local sport and psychical activity strategy.

Through effective working partnerships with key stakeholders, the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre has begun to develop a national framework to promote and develop quality sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities throughout Ireland.

The main aim of the CARA APA Centre and the SIDO National programme is to facilitate an increase in the number of people with disabilities participating in sport and physical activity. A list of local Sports Partnerships and Sports Inclusion Disability Officers can be obtained by contacting Niamh Daffy, as Coordinatoron066-7145646 or niamh.daffy@staff.ittralee.ie

National Learning Network and RehapCare
Partners in Recovery: A Community Conference on Wellness and Recovery

Oganised by: National Learning Network and RehabCare
Facilitated by: Stephen Pocklington, Executive Director of the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery in Arizona, USA
Date: 16 October 2008
Venue: Clayton Hotel, Galway

The conference will highlight the benefits of using WRAP in mental health recovery. Pocklington will focus on the use of WRAP (Wellness, Recovery, Action, Planning) in mental health recovery and will explore its five key concepts – hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy and support. The conference will also involve a discussion on how WRAP can be used to transform people’s lives.

For more information, visit www.rehab.ie/mentalhealthconference or email mentalhealthconference@rehab.ie

Annual Conference of the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG)

MRCG are pleased to announce their 2008 Annual Conference, Medical Research in Ireland: Selling the Concept, Raising the Funding
Date: Tuesday 11 November 2008, 9.00am- 5.00pm
Location: Dublin Castle Conference Centre, Dublin

This full day meeting will bring together experts in the field of communications and fundraising with a particular emphasis on raising funds for medical research. National and international experts will discuss best practice and the most effective ways in communicating a research message to raise awareness and funds.
The registration form is available on our website: www.mrcg.ie or by email from dcremins@mrcg.ie / 01 400 2100.

HEADWAY Annual Fundraiser, 18th October 2008

Headway invites you to support their largest annual fundraiser in aid of rehabilitative care for people affected by acquired brain injury.

A Spooktacular Halloween Party with Special Guest, Hypnomagician Keith Barrym Ambassador for Headway will take place on Sunday 18th October in Clontarf Castle. Drinks reception 7pm followed by canapés, guest appearance and entertainment from Keith Barry, dancing to Jungle Boogie, lice auction and many many treats to leave you spellbound! Cocktail wear. Tickets €100.

To book your table contact Fiona or Grainne on 01 810 2066. Tickets can also be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ie

Journal of Cultural and Literary Studies

The new website of the Journal of Cultural and Literary Studies has been launched. The website address is www.jlcds.org . and previous issues of the Journal can be viewed free of charge under ‘Past Issues’

Newsletters

For information please contact the relevant organisation directly.

• Ability - Newsletter of the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Tel: 01 4572329, E-mail: info@iasbah.ie
• Arthritis Ireland - Newsletter—Tel: 01 661 8188 E-mail: info@arthritisireland.ie
• Aspire - Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland. 01-8780027/9, E-mail: admin@aspire-irl.org
• Asthma Society News - Tel: 01-8788511, E-mail: office@asthmasociety.ie
• Brainstorm - Migraine Association of Ireland, Tel: 01-8064121, E-mail: info@migraine.ie
• Brainwave - Quarterly Newsletter, Tel: 01 4557500, E-mail: info@epilepsy.ie
• Care Alliance Ireland - E-mail: ndo@carealliance.ie
• Clar na nÓg - National Youth Council of Ireland Tel: 01-4784122 E-mail: info@nyci.ie
• Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Ireland - www.cleft.ie/newsletter , Tel: (01) 2848227, E-mail: georginawade@cleft.ie
• Community Exchange Newsletter, E-mail: info@activelink.ie , Tel: +1 667 7326
• Connect - Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association. E-mail: info@imnda.ie , Freefone 1800 403 403
• Community Workers’ Co-operative – Community Work News. E-mail: info@cwc.ie , Tel: +353 (0) 91 779 030
• Cornerstone - Homeless Agency - http://www.homelessagency.ie/research/cornerstone.asp , Tel: 01 7036100 , E-mail: homeless@dublincity.ie
• Cumhacht - People with Disabilities in Ireland http://www.pwdi.ie/news_events/newsletter , E-mail: info@pwdi.ie , Tel: 01-8721744
• Debra Ireland Newsletter, Tel: 01 678 5044, E-mail: info@debraireland.org
• Down Syndrome Ireland - Tel: 01-8730999, E-mail: info@downsyndrome.ie
• Enable Ireland - Newsletter—Tel: 1850 204 304 E-mail :communications@enableireland.ie
• Equality News - Tel: 01-4173333, E-mail: info@equality.ie
• E-Info Deaf Source— E-mail: info@irishdeafsociety.ie . Tel: +353 1860 1878
• Féach - Support to parents of blind and visually impaired children. Tel: 01 493 1896, E-mail: info@feach.ie
• Fighting Blindness - Tel: 01 7093050, E-mail: avril.daly@fightingblindness.ie
• Frontline of Learning Disability -Tel: 01-2862649. E-mail: frontline@indigo.ie
• GROWing - Information on Mental Health, Tel: 1890 474 474, E-mail: info@grow.ie
• Guidelines - Irish Guide Dogs Association. Tel: 021 4878200 E-mail: info@guidedogs.ie
• Headway Ireland - National Association for Acquired Brain Injury -‘Making Headway’, Tel: 01-8102066, E-mail: info@headway.ie
• Heart News: - Newsletter of Irish Heart Foundation. Tel: 01 668 5001 E-mail: info@irishheart.ie.
• Heartstrings - Newsletter of Heart Children Ireland, published quarterly, Tel: 1850 217017 E-mail: heartchildren@eircom.net
• Heatwave - Irish Raynauds Scleroderma Society, E-mail: info@irishraynauds.com , Tel: 01 2020184
• HOPE - Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland. Tel: 01-872 1303, E-mail: hdai@indigo.ie
• Inclusion Ireland - Tel: 01 8559891, E-mail: info@inclusionireland.ie
• Irish Deaf News - Irish Deaf Society. Minicom: 01-8601910; 01-8601878; E-mail: info@irishdeafsociety.ie
• Irish Wheelchair Association - ‘Spokeout’ , Tel: 01-8186 400, E-mail: Joanna.marsden@iwa.ie
• Kerry Network of People with Disabilities - Network News 066-7180611, E-mail: kerrypwdi@eircom.net
• MS News—Newsletter of MS Ireland. Tel: 01 6781600, E-mail: info@ms-society.ie
• Muscular Dystrophy Ireland - MDI News Update Tel: 01-8721501, E-mail: info@mdi.ie
• DeafHear.ie - Link Magazine - Tel: 01 8723800, E-mail: info@deafhear.ie , Minicom: (01) 817 5777
• NCBI News - Newsletter of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, Tel: 01 8307033, E-mail: press@ncbi.ie , www.ncbi.ie
• Neuro News - Neurofibromatosis Association of Ireland, Tel: 01-8726338, E-mail: nfaireland@eircom.net
• People First - Central Remedial Clinic Tel: 01-8057400 E-mail: vmmcutch@crc.ie
• Post Polio Support Group - Newsletter, Tel: 071 64791 E-mail: newsletter@ppsg.ie
• Poverty Today - Combat Poverty Agency. Tel:01-670 6746
• Rehab News -Tel: 01-2057200 E-mail: dara.duffy@rehab.ie
• Simon News - Simon Community, Tel: 01-6711606 E-mail: info@simoncommunity.com
• SI News - Schizophrenia Ireland, Tel: (0)1 8601620 E-mail: info@sirl.ie
• Social Housing - Irish Council for Social Housing Tel: 01-6618334; E-mail: info@icsh.ie
• Speaking up for Advocacy - Comhairle Newsletter on advocacy. Tel: 01 6059035, E-mail: mairide.woods@comhairle.ie or davin.roche@comhairle.ie
• Volunteer Stroke Scheme News- Tel: 01-4559036. E-mail: info@strokescheme.ie
• Wheel E-Bulletin Tel:01- 454 8727, E-mail: info@wheel.ie .

joanodonnell@disability-federation.ie

Disability Federation of Ireland is a national support and representation mechanism for voluntary disability sector organisations, covering all areas of disability and disabling conditions. There are currently over 100 voluntary disability organisations in the DFI Membership.

Fumbally Court
Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8
Tel: 01 454 7978
Fax: 01 494 7981
E: info@disability-federation.ie

Dublin Mid-Leinster
Lillian Buchanan
Support Officer – Policy and Research (Dublin Office)
Tel: 01 424 0127
E: lillianbuchanan@disability-federation.ie

Dermot O’ Donnell
Support Officer- Support for Organisations
Tel: 01 4250125 (Dublin Office)
E: dermotodonnell@disability-federation.ie

Anthony Carrick
Dun Laoghaire, Dublin South East, Wicklow (Dublin Office),
Tel: 01 708 0105
Mobile: 086 8206736
E: anthonycarrick@disability-federation.ie

Louise McCann
Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Dublin West, Kildare, West Wicklow (Dublin Office)
Mobile: 086 9189750
E: louisemccann@disability-federation.ie

Jacqueline Thomson
Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath (Dublin Office)
Mobile: 086 3882600
E: jacquelinethomson@disability-federation.ie

Dublin North-East
Joan O’Donnell
Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan (Dublin Office)
Mobile: 086 3834587
E: joanodonnell@disability-federation.ie

Martin Naughton
Dublin North Central, Dublin North West, Dublin North

West
Michael Corbett,
Galway, Mayo, Roscommon
C/O DFI, Acres, Newport, Co. Mayo,
Tel: 098 41919,
Mobile: 086 3804750,
Fax: 098 41065,
E: michaelcorbett@disability-federation.ie

Marcus Hufsky,
Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal
DFI, NRC, Forthill, Sligo,
Tel: 071 9144614,
Mobile: 086 3811261,
E: marcushufsky@disability-federation.ie

Toni Gleeson,
Limerick, North Tipperary, East Limerick, Clare
DFI, The Forge, Croke St. Thurles, Co Tipperary
Mobile: 086 6004526
E: tonigleeson@disability-federation.ie

South
P.J. Cleere
Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford
DFI, Tinryland, Carlow
Tel: 059 9179431
Mobile: 086 3811064
E: pjcleere@disability-federation.ie

Alison Ryan
101 North Main Street, Cork
Cork, Kerry
Tel: 021 4271752 Mobile 0874198796
E: a.ryan@disability-federation.ie

E: martinnaughton@disability-federation.ie
Mobile: 086 8207196