Disability Federation of Ireland Newsletter August 2008

Issued on August 1 2008

Draft Service Level and Grant Aid Agreements

DFI is very conscious of the deep concerns which member organisations have expressed to us on the issue of the introduction of Service Level and Grant Aid Agreements at our meeting on the 14th May and otherwise. We are keeping these to the fore in our ongoing work in this area. As well as being active with the HSE through correspondence, discussions and meetings we have also been working closely with the Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Not for Profit Business Association. Allied to that we, through the Wheel, have raised these issues with the wider voluntary and community sector who will also be impacted and we have, also raised these concerns through the Social Partnership process.

We recently met a number of times with the HSE Disability Division on the issue of the draft Service Level and Grand Aid Agreements. At these meetings DFI has pressed on a number of issues that it believes are central to the implementation of these new Agreements. These include the need for clarity around the distinction between Section 38 and Section 39 services and their reflection in the Agreements, the need to provide understandings/protocols to support organisations to understand and comply with what is required of them by the HSE in the implantation of the Agreements, the need for the HSE to commit to developing the capacity of organisations, and the need to acknowledge and respect the fact that voluntary disability organisations continue to be “partners” / “allies” to the HSE in the development of health and personal social services to people with disabilities and in that regard we continue to bring significant resources beyond HSE funding.

At present the HSE is proposing that both Agreements will comprise of a set of standard clauses and a number of schedules. As part of DFI discussions with the HSE on this issue we are proposing three additional Parts to the Agreements:

  • Part Three: Understandings/protocols to be developed with the disability sector on the standard clauses and schedules, and make this part of the signed Agreement.
  • Part Four: Agree with the disability sector the measures to be undertaken to develop the capacity of voluntary disability organisations to comply with these Agreements.
  • Part Five: Commit, with the disability sector, to a two year agreed time frame for implementation of these initial Agreements where learning can take place prior to reviewing the overall terms and operations for any further Agreements beyond that timeframe.

We understand that the HSEs disability division time frame is to bring a limited number of text changes to the HSE National Steering Group on the Agreements in September and to conclude discussions with the disability sector in relation to the process around the Agreements in the Autumn. We will continue to work on these Agreements and to keep you updated as it is critical to get them right for all concerned from the start.

John Dolan
CEO

National Council Meeting

As part of the process where the Board routinely reports to the National Council and following our AGM in May a meeting of the National Council will take place on Thursday 11th September at 9.15a.m. The purpose of the meeting is for the Board to report to the National Council on the mid year progress on the Annual Plan within the context of the current Operational and Strategic Plans, as agreed by the Board, and to hear any comments or observations which the National Council may have. Prior to the AGM the Board reported progress to the National Council at a meeting in March and there will be a further such meeting in November.

DFI Operational Plan 2008-2010 is available on our website www.disability-federation.ie

HEALTH

Day Service Review Update

The work of the HSE Adult Funded Day Services Group is continuing in earnest with the public consultation just being completed. The group received a total of 178 submissions from individuals and organisations, including one from DFI. Aside from these submissions, four public consultation meetings were held and the views of approx 700 service users, carers, service providers and people with a general interest in day service provision have been captured at these meetings. In addition, separate focus groups were convened with approx 160 service users.

All submissions and reports from the public meetings and focus groups have been forwarded to an independent consultant for analysis and a full report will be furnished on the entire Consultation process for the consideration of the National Working Group.

For further information on the DFI submission for this process please contact Jacqueline Thomson at jacquelinethomson@disability-federation.ie .

Public Consultation on the Health Information Bill

As part of the Health Reform Programme, the Department of Health and Children is preparing new legislation on the collection, use, sharing, storage, disclosure and transfer of personal health information as well as ensuring that the privacy of such information is appropriately respected.

The main objectives of the Health Information Bill are:

  • to establish a legislative framework to enable information –in whatever form- to be used to best effect to enhance medical care and patient safety throughout the health system,
  • to facilitate the greater use of information technologies for better delivery of patient services, and
  • to underpin an effective information governance structure for the health system generally.

The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD, has invited the public and interested parties to submit their views on the proposed Bill.
Accordingly, a Discussion Document on the Bill and an accompanying Audit Paper setting out relevant key international instruments, national laws and guidelines relating to health information for Ireland and selected other countries have been prepared. You can find these documents at http://www.dohc.ie/issues/hib// .

The Department of Health and Children are now welcoming written responses by individuals, groups or organisations and these should be sent: By E-mail to: hibconsultation@health.gov.ie . By Post to: Health Information Bill Consultation Legislation Unit, Department of Health and Children, Hawkins House, Dublin 2
Latest date for receipt of responses is Thursday, 11th September 2008

Please note that all submissions received will be subject to the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

Training for Complaints Officers – HSE

Under the Health Act 2004 voluntary organisations may have obligations under Part 9 of the Act regarding the establishment of complaints procedures. An organisation is obliged to comply with the Act if

  • it receives funding under Section 38 of the Act
  • it receives funding under Section 39 of the Act or
  • it uses HSE facilities, for example to hold meetings.

Under Part 9 of the Act, voluntary organisations are obliged to ensure that their complaints procedure is compliant with the Act. This can be done by e-mailing your complaints procedure to nicolaj.williams@mailq.hse.ie . Information regarding the development of a complaints procedure can be found on the DFI website http://www.disability-federation.ie/information_complaints.htm .

Organisations must have a nominated person to manage complaints, the Complaints Officer. The Complaints Officer is a person who is designated by the organisation for the purpose of dealing with complaints made to it in compliance with the Complaints Procedures established under the Act. The HSE is now undertaking training for complaints officers in organisations. The HSE are running a session for DFI member organisations on Thursday 25th September from 10a.m. until 5.30p.m. in Boardroom 2, HSE Offices, Block 4 Central Business Park, Clonminch, Tullamore . As places are limited, if you plan to send your Complaints Officer to the meeting please e-mail jacquelinethomson@disability-federation.ie stating the name of the person attending, with Complaints Officer Training in the subject line. Please contact Jacqueline Thomson, DFI Support Officer, on 01 454 7978 if you have any questions.

Second Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on A Vision for Change

The second Annual Report of the independent monitoring group on A Vision for Change was published recently. The Report is rather critical in the implementation so far of A Vision for Change, highlighting a number of areas that require improvement, including:

  • That the recommendations that the group made in the First Report were not addressed in 2007, although some have now been prioritised for implementation during 2008
  • Absence of clear identifiable leadership within the HSE to implement A Vision for Change. The Report states that the monitoring group believe that the HSE was mistaken in their decision not to implement the recommendation to establish a National Mental Health Service Directorate to drive the changes recommended in the Report.
  • The transformation programme is taking precedence over the implementation of some of the recommendations of A Vision for Change.
  • Resourcing of the community mental health teams has not been adequately prioritised
  • Lack of uniform involvement of service users and carers across all areas
  • €24million of the €51.2 million development funding allocated to the HSE for the implementation of A Vision for Change was not used as planned (it was used to plug the funding deficit in the HSE). It is not clear who has the responsibility for mental health services or how budgetary decisions affecting mental health services are made in the HSE.
  • Slow rate of progress regarding the child and adolescent community mental health teams
  • Slow rate of progress in providing mental health services to people with an intellectual disability
  • No formal arrangements for the cross governmental departmental approach in A Vision for Change – lack of consistency in the implementation of the recommendations across Government Departments

They also developed a number of recommendations for the future implementation of A Vision for Change:

  • That the HSE should appoint a Director of Mental Health Services
  • The role of the HSE groups need to be clarified and be multidisciplinary
  • Any implementation plan should include timeframes for implementation and set out how progress will be reported
  • Finalise the mental health catchment areas as a matter of urgency
  • Development of multidisciplinary community mental health teams as a matter of urgency
  • Address child and adolescent mental health services, regional forensic mental health service, forensic services for people with ID, and mental health services for people with ID as a matter of urgency
  • That the Office for Disability and Mental Health should make the necessary arrangements to ensure a co-ordinated response from the Government Departments.

MAP Bulletin Presentation – Neurological Conditions

The HRB will be presenting their latest MAP Bulletin in the DFI offices on Monday 25th August at 11a.m . The MAP data is useful as it offers a holistic view of disability by measuring the barriers and challenges experienced in participating in life activities and provides an overview of functional ability. This data can also be used to measure the effectiveness of service use and their impact on individuals” participation. This bulletin explores the difficulties in participating experienced by people with a neurological condition. The basic premise behind the MAP tool is to provide information on the services to people with disabilities in order to improve their level of participation in those areas of life from which they feel wholly or partially excluded. The data has shown that the impact of PA services is clearly significant. This bulletin is available to download from the HRB website www.hrb.ie .

If you would like to attend this presentation, or for further information, please contact Jacqueline Thomson, Support Officer, at jacquelinethomson@disability-federation.ie with MAP Presentation in the subject line.

New appointment in the Irish Mental Health Coalition

Caroline McGrath has recently been appointed the first Director of the Irish Mental Health Coalition. Caroline will be working with the IMHC to achieve their objectives of campaigning for improved mental health services. We would like to welcome Caroline and wish her every success in her new role.

TOWARDS 2016

C&V Pillar Bilateral Meetings for the Review of Towards 2016

The Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership, of which DFI is a member, has met with a number of Government Departments at recent Bilateral meetings. At these meetings DFI raised a number of issues that related to actions and goals in Towards 2016 and the National Disability Strategy and these Departments specifically. For further information on these Bilateral meetings please contact Lillian Buchanan, DFI, on 01-4547978 or on lillianbuchanan@disability-federation.ie .

Department of Education and Science:

DFI was one of the C&V Pillar representatives who raised issues with the Department in the context of the formal review of the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016 . The Pillar proposed a number of priority areas for the next phase of the Agreement, including full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (EPSEN) and integrated working between the health and education authorities in assessing individual service needs and service plans. The importance of systematically reporting the aggregate extent and nature of special educational needs for planning purposes was highlighted, noting that a statutory requirement regarding health needs reporting exists under the Disability Act 2005 .

Access to second chance education for people with a disability, including access to funds for educational supports, such as special equipment, was discussed. It was pointed out that for some people with a disability, such financial assistance for part-time learning is essential to allow their participation in education, and to achieve successful results.

Department of Enterprise, Training and Employment:

At this Bilateral DFI noted that while there are no more people with a disability employed or in training than there was before Towards 2016 , the Department and its agency FÁS have been actively seeking to strengthen their programmes for people with disabilities. This is most welcome. The challenge now for the Department is to deliver on the findings of the research reports that they have commissioned. In particular, DFI asked if the Department will develop programmes that are responsive and flexible, reflecting the diversity amongst rather than trying to place people into pre-determined categories. In this endeavour, DFI questioned will the Department be willing to partner with voluntary disability organisations, both service providers and niche advocacy organisations, to help the “activation” process of moving people with disabilities into training and employment? DFI pointed out that programmes for people with disabilities typically to date have been under-spent because they failed to respond to the disability context.
DFI noted that the flexibility required for successful training and employment of people with disabilities also involves effective inter-agency working with DSFA and others. DFI asked the Department what arrangements are in place for this, and in particular, how is the activation policy thrust to feature in the employment strategy for people with disabilities?

DFI noted that the Community Employment scheme employs substantial numbers of people on Disability Allowance. Despite good intentions, participation in the scheme by people with disabilities often does not lead anywhere. DFI asked how will the Department ensure activation for CE workers who have a disability?

The Summary Report of the NDS Stakeholder Monitoring Group states that scoping of the phased transfer of the appropriate employment services from the health sector to DETE is subject to the outcome of the Strategic Review of HSE-funded Adult Day Services for people with Disabilities, due November 2008.

This is another area where DETE can in future support activation and mainstreaming for people with disabilities. DFI asked the Department how does it see its future role for serving people traditionally using adult day services?

Department of Social and Family Affairs:

These issues related to actions and goals in Towards 2016, and included, amongst others Social Welfare Rates, Child Income Support, and Pensions, People with Disabilities, Carer”s Strategy, and the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. In relation to people with disabilities, the following was discussed.

  • The elaboration of a comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities including a range of measures to promote education, vocational training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • In terms of ensuring adequate levels of income for people with disabilities there is a need to work on the continued enhancement and integration of supports in line with overall social welfare commitments and targets. This should include a rationalisation of existing allowances for people with disabilities in the context of Government policy of mainstreaming and the proposed transfer of functions from the HSE to the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
  • The implementation of the Personal Advocacy Service for people with disabilities which, under legislation, provides for the assignment of a personal advocate to a person with a disability who is unable to, or who has difficulty in obtaining a service without the assistance or support of the personal advocate.
  • The timeframe for the publication of the National Carer”s Strategy originally scheduled for the end of 2007.
  • Activation measures, aimed at people with disabilities, to be developed, so that there will be an active outcome focused individual case management process in place for all people with disabilities who are not progressing into employment or accessing training or employment opportunities .

Section 34 of Towards 2016: "Implementing the Lifecycle Approach".

DFI attended a presentation by the Wheel on the 15th July 2008, on the topic of Section 34 of the Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016 , "Implementing the Lifecycle Approach", chaired by Mary Cunningham CEO National Youth Council of Ireland. Feedback was summed up by Séamus Boland, CEO Irish Rural Link and Chairperson of the Wheel. A brief talk was delivered by Allen Dunne, Deputy CEO of DFI on the subject of HSE new Service Level Agreements and Grant Aid Agreements.

At this meeting we were reminded that T16 aims to transform delivery of public services by developing a new framework to address the social challenges faced by people at each stage of the lifecycle and by designing and delivering services around the requirements of individuals – not around administrative requirements. Delivering services, income supports and activation measures to people at all stages of the lifecycle will have positive benefits for children, young adults, people of working age, older people and people with disabilities.

T16 states the Government”s intention to introduce legislation to regulate the Charities Sector and to provide additional resources to assist the Sector in the transition to regulation. Section 34 commits the Government to providing increased investment in the Community Services Programme of €30m by 2009; increasing by €5m per annum the support to volunteering and increasing by €10m per annum the support to the C&V Sector, including the costs arising from contributing to evidenced based policy making, over and above the normal activities and programmes.

For further information on this meeting please contact Dermot O” Donnell at dermotodonnell@disability-federation.ie .

NATIONAL DISABILITY STRATEGY (NDS)

Director of the Office for Disability and Mental Health

Bairbre Nic Aongusa, the Director, Office for Disability and Mental Health met the Disability Stakeholders Group, consisting of DFI, the other four umbrella bodies and the NDA on 17th July. The Director outlined the priorities of the Office, and how it proposes to pursue them. She saw the Office progressing the National Disability Strategy (NDS) by facilitating greater co-operation between different parts of Government delivering programmes for the “whole” person. She explained that the existing staff in the HSE's disability and mental health units will report to her and also take on the cross-cutting responsibilities of the Office. In addition she will work with her counterparts in the three other departments linked to the Office, namely Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Equality, Justice and Law Reform, and she will participate in the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion.

In the discussion that followed, the DSG members identified areas of common interest with the Office, namely effective tracking of the outputs achieved through the development funding and protecting those funds and other disability resources at a time of tightening fiscal constraints. The DSG members told the Director that they expected the Office to champion implementation of the NDS, especially in health, the lynchpin of the Strategy. They saw its task as obtaining and safe-guarding the funds required to advance NDS, a key Government priority. They suggested that work should commence to plan for a new multi-annual funding programme for 2010 onwards. For a copy of the Director”s invitation, please contact DFI at info@disability-federation.ie .

Public Transport Accessibility Committee (PTAC)

At the PTAC meeting on the 9th July, the Department of Transport gave an initial report on the consultation for the statutory review of its Sectoral Plan. There were 28 substantive submissions as well as 500 responses to the questionnaire, many of which included detailed comments. The Department aims to bring its draft review report to PTAC early in September and publish it in the autumn.

Bus Éireann reported progress, albeit behind schedule, in developing a pilot accessible coach route between Navan and Dublin. Work is about to start on another pilot route between Cork and Waterford.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation reported that new regulations will apply shortly. The regulations require those with a wheelchair accessible taxi licence to provide details about their service to the Commission who in turn will make them available to disability organisations and third parties. If the licensee is failing to provide the service, the Commission will investigate and take necessary action. For information, please go to www.taxiregulator.ie or phone 1890 606090.

SOCIAL INCLUSION

DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2009

The DFI Pre-Budget Submission 2009 is now available on our website www.disability-federation.ie . This is part of our year long Estimate and Budget campaign where we have sought to resolve underfunding of voluntary disability services, capacity building within disability organisations and the introduction of a cost of disability payment.
In addition to securing the €50 million already committed to for 2009, DFI aim to campaign under these four priority actions:

  1. To commit €50 million to develop disability services in addition to Multi-Annual Funding for 2009
  2. To allocate €20 million to address core funding deficits within voluntary disability organisations
  3. To commit €5 million to fund capacity building among voluntary disability organisations
  4. To introduce a Cost of Disability Payment of €40 per week to people with disabilities

Organisations who would like advice on developing their own submission, or who want to use the DFI submission for their own estimates and budget campaign, are encouraged to contact their local DFI Support Officer. (contact details on back page)

OECD International Review: Sickness, Disability & Work: Breaking the Barriers Denmark , Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands (Vol.3)

DFI was represented at a Seminar organised by the Department of Social and Family Affairs in June 2008 to discuss draft findings of the OECD review of long-terms sickness and disability policies in Ireland, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands.

According to the Report Ireland has seen very high rates of economic growth in the past 15 years, which has also translated into very strong employment growth.

isappointingly, this has not translated into higher employment rates of people with disability, which – at around 35% – are very low. It is only in recent years, with the 2004 National Disability Strategy, that the focus has shifted towards promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities. So far, reform is lagging far behind what has happened in other OECD countries, although a number of important reforms with the potential to change systems and outcomes considerably are planned.

The main issues which, according to OECD, should be taken up in future reforms are:

  • The fragmentation of the benefit system and the limited consideration given to remaining work capacity in assessing eligibility for disability-type benefits.
  • The fragmentation of employment supports and the little attention given by the PES to people with long-term health problems or disability.
  • Poor incentives for people with health problems to seek work and for employers to retain these workers, or to hire them.
  • For more information on the either the Seminar or Report please contact Louise Mc Cann (DFI) at louisemccann@disability-federation.ie or 01 4250126.

BUILDING ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY

Reminder: Guidance for Directors and Senior Managers on their Responsibilities for Workplace Safety and Health.

The HSA have published a very useful document guiding organisation about their responsibilities to workplace safety.

Who is this guidance aimed at?

This guidance is aimed at executive and non-executive directors of all types of workplaces in both the private and public sectors, at officers of undertakings1, at Board Chairpersons and Board Members, at senior managers and at any other managers who are responsible for directing workers while at work and work activities. It will help these office-holders to protect their employees, customers and those members of the public who may be affected by what they do in the workplace by ensuring that the safety and health risks arising from work activities are properly managed.

OPEN TRAINING COLLEGE GAINS HETAC APPROVAL FOR TWO NEW MANAGEMENT COURSES

The Open Training College, the distance learning educational body established by St Michael”s House in 1992, is pleased to announce HETAC approval for two additional Management Courses at the College. Applications are now being considered for places on these new courses.

The accredited Courses are aimed at employees with management and supervisory responsibilities working in organisations in the non-profit / human services sector.

The College will roll out a one-year Higher Certificate in Applied Management in Autumn 2008 and a one-year Bachelor of Arts in Applied Management in Autumn 2009. The College has already rolled out a one-year Certificate in Applied Management. The full three-year degree course will combine all three individual one-year management courses, which offer students accredited qualifications at the end of each year.

Commenting on the HETAC approval, College Director of the Open Training College, Karen Finnerty, said: "We are absolutely delighted to gain approval from HETAC and rollout these unique Applied Management Courses. I believe these courses will have a major positive impact on the non-profit sector."

Similar to all courses provided by the Open Training College, the new Management Courses are applied in nature and will teach the student to work with management theory course materials and identify their practical application within the student”s own organisation.

"The course is focussed on meeting the needs of adult learners, where the student has the flexibility of entering or exiting a Bachelor degree course at various points,"

said Brendan Collins, Course Director at the Open Training College.

"Each point comes with its own accredited qualification so the student can build on their qualifications in a staged process that ultimately rewards the student with a unique degree."

Contact: Conor Murray, Open Training College, Prospect Hall, Willowfield Park, Goatstown, Dublin 14. Tel. 01 2988544
Email cmurray.otc@smh.ie Website www.opentrainingcollege.com

TRAINING

Tipperary Institute: Higher Certificate of Arts in Disability Studies and Practice (HETAC level 6)

This part-time programme will commence in September 2008 and finish in June 2010. Participants will attend 2 evenings per week and 4 Saturdays in every 12 week cycle up to 2010.

Who is the programme for?

This programme is aimed at anyone who is interested in the field of disability studies and practice in Ireland. Typically participants will be individuals or professionals who are interacting with people with a disability in the areas such as independent living, work, advocacy, personal care, or in their capacity as information providers.

Applicants must be over 23 years on 1st of Jan of the year of the commencement of the programme.

Accommodation will be made for applicants with a disability. Applicants will be required to have some experience in the area of social care or in a context where interpersonal relationships are a significant element of their work or other activity.

Why This Programme?

Participants will address the area of communication skills as a means of building trust and openness necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Particular attention is given to the specific communication issues facing people with disabilities and to the skills and attitudes required of a disability profession.

On successful completion of this programme, HETAC will award participants a Higher Certificate of Arts in Disability Studies and Practice (Level 6) based on 100% continuous assessment

Further Information www.tippinst.ie/courses or email mmolumby@tippinst.ie Phone 0504 28117

FUNDING

Community Enterprise Centre Application

Enterprise Ireland is seeking proposals from eligible communities in urban and rural locations that have the commitment, energy and aptitude to develop an Enterprise Centre within and for their own local community.

Assistance may be provided on a competitive basis for the acquisition, adaptation or construction of a suitable building in which micro enterprises can establish.

These centres provide a supportive environment for potential entrepreneurs and are in line with Enterprise Ireland”s strategy of achieving regional balance. The application form and guidelines are available directly from Enterprise Irelands13 Irish offices.

For contact details of your nearest Enterprise Ireland regional office.
See www.enterprise-ireland.com/Contact/IrishOffices

Completed applications must be marked "CEC Application" and returned to: Enterprise Ireland Entrepreneurship and Regions Division,500 Atlantic Avenue, Westpark, Shannon, Co. Clare by 1p.m. on Friday 29th August 2008.

For further information please contact: Fiona Ring, WAM Project Worker, 01 278 9325, fiona.ring@ahead.ie More details can be found on the website: www.ahead.ie

GENERAL NEWS

Neurological Alliance of Ireland Regional Forums Upcoming NAI regional forum in Cork on 11th November 2008:

All stakeholders involved in the provision of services to people with neurological conditions in the region will be invited to participate in a workshop to highlight gaps in services and discuss the recent review of neurology services that the NAI was involved in. The venue and further details will be announced in upcoming newsletters.

Neurological Alliance of Ireland Conference:

"The Rehabilitation and Long Term Management of Neurological Conditions in the Community" .The Conference will be held on the 2nd December 2008 in Dublin. The venue and further details are to be confirmed.

For more information on both of these events please contact Mags Rogers, NAI on 01 8724120 or at naiireland@eircom.net

AONTAS – The National Adult Learning Organisation is now inviting nominations for the STAR Awards!

The STAR Awards is about showcasing teamwork and awarding recognition – it is about acknowledging the fantastic work being done by adult learning projects throughout the country. Most of all, it is about celebrating the positive contribution that these projects make to our society, our economy and our local communities.
Fourteen awards in total will be granted to adult learning projects based within the island of Ireland who demonstrate the following criteria:

  • A high level of teamwork and partnership amongst participant groups
  • A learner-centred approach to education provision
  • Adult education practice and methodologies
  • Evidence or Outcomes.

Nominated projects can involve initiatives, resources or group work. Projects may come from adult learning organisations, community and voluntary groups, the private sector, government agencies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations.

You do not have to be involved in the project you are nominating for a STAR Award. However, Aontas welcome nominations from projects themselves or from people directly involved in the project they are nominating. The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, November 14th at 5p.m. and the website is www.adultlearnersfestival.com

Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association: (IPHA)

IPHA Patient Forum.

The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) represents the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Ireland. Part of the work of the IPHA was to set up the IPHA Patient Forum. The IPHA Patient Forum was established in March 2008 in order to provide a platform where broader issues in the area of health and innovative medical research may be discussed between patient organisation representatives and the pharmaceutical industry.

The IPHA Patient Forumis seeking the views of patient organisations on their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and invites people to visit www.ipha.ie and complete an online survey or contact the IPHA offices to request a hardcopy of the survey.

The deadline for the survey is 8th August 2008.

IPHA has developed in conjunction with patient organisations, a Guideline for Pharmaceutical Companies on Working with Patient Associations. This has been recently adapted by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) to develop aconsistent Code of Practice on Relationships between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Patient Organisations across Europe.

For further information please contact: http://www.ipha.ie . Ronan Collins,
Communications Manager, Email ronancollins@ipha.ie , Telephone 01 6630936

European Research Agendas for Disability Equality (EuRADE)

There has recently been a launch of a new consultation survey with disabled people's organisations in European Countries.

'European Research Agendas for Disability Equality' (EuRADE) is a research project funded by the EU Framework 7 'Science in Society' programme and is a collaboration between the European Disability Forum (EDF), the University of Leeds (UK) and the University of Maastricht (Netherlands). The purpose of the project is to build the capacity of European disabled people's organisations to participate in future research projects (like those of the EU Framework 7 Programme). It also encourages disabled people's organisations to play a part in shaping the European research agenda.

The print version is available from: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies/projects/eurade/eurade%20Survey%20-%20ENprint.pdf .

For further information contact Sandra Tavares-Moeira, Project Coordinator, Telephone +32 (0) 22864609.

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

National Association for Deaf People - Link Magazine - Tel: 01 8723800, E-mail: nad@iol.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

S.I. 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

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

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 9158111
Mobile: 086 3811064
E: pjcleere@disability-federation.ie

Alison Ryan
101 North Main Street , Cork
Cork, Kerry
Tel: 021 4271752 Mobile 086 3816323
E: a.ryan@disability-federation.ie