Overwatch Report

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] The Wheel participated in a Bi-lateral meeting between the Community and Voluntary Pillar (of which The Wheel is a member) and the Community Division of the Department of Rural and Community Development and called for the development of a comprehensive strategy to support the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] The Wheel called (via an Opinion Piece carried in the Irish Times in December 2017) for the Electoral Acts to be amended to more tightly define "political activity" so as to ensure civil society voice is not unduly restricted as a result of implementing the provisions in the Electoral Acts

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Informal communication All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The Wheel called (via an Opinion Piece in the Irish Times) for the Electoral Acts to be amended to more tightly define "political activity" so as to ensure civil society voice is not unduly restricted'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Finance] We lobbied a number of officials, Ministerial Advisers and TDs to secure support for the inclusion of a VAT Compensation Scheme for Charities in Budget 2018

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Donall Geoghegan', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Community] Promotion of a better understanding of the policy proposals of the Wheel

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Michael Ring', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Philip O’Callaghan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Seán Kyne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 10 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We published a report entitled Commissioning for Communities aimed at ensuring that emerging commissioning practice takes place in a societal value framework

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We invited all Oireachtas members to the launch of a report on sustaining the community and voluntary sector’s role in delivering human, social and community services, published by The Wheel, Clann Credo and the Community Foundation for Ireland. The report identifies the societal value that the community and voluntary approach delivers: the energy, endeavour and commitment displayed and the funds contributed. The report makes strong recommendations for the next government about what is needed if we want to continue to benefit from a thriving community and voluntary sector. We published this report because we believe that the current direction in policy towards a commissioning model may compromise the quality of services and threaten the viability of the community and voluntary sector itself. We believe that commissioning can be approached in a positive way that supports communities and that a priority for public policy should be to create an enabling ecosystem to sustain the sector'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We launched the report in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin, on 14th January'} {'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We launched a campaign to engage stakeholders in implementing the recommendations in the Commissioning for Communities report to ensure commissioning practice takes place in a societal value framework

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The Wheel, Clann Credo - the Social Investment Fund and the Community Foundation for Ireland launched a key report on the future of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.[https://www.wheel.ie/sites/default/files/email.jpg]<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning>\n\nThe report, “Let’s Commission for Communities” demonstrates how the community and voluntary sector contributes added value to public services through additional funding, energy, endeavour and commitment in ways that are not otherwise available to the State.\n\nWe called on our supporters to 1) bring the report<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning> to the attention of anyone they think should understand these issues, especially in the context of the general election.\n * make a submission based on the report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s public consultation<http://www.per.gov.ie/en/commissioning/> on commissioning.'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': 'The Wheel, Clann Credo - the Social Investment Fund and the Community Foundation for Ireland launched a key report on the future of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.[https://www.wheel.ie/sites/default/files/email.jpg]<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning>\n\nThe report, “Let’s Commission for Communities” demonstrates how the community and voluntary sector contributes added value to public services through additional funding, energy, endeavour and commitment in ways that are not otherwise available to the State.\n\nWe called on our supporters to 1) bring the report<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning> to the attention of anyone they think should understand these issues, especially in the context of the general election.\n * make a submission based on the report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s public consultation<http://www.per.gov.ie/en/commissioning/> on commissioning.'} {'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Norris', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Maureen O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Billy Timmins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 1 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We communicated the recommendations in the Commissioning for Communities report to key departmental officials in DPER, the Office for Government Procurement, the HSE and Tusla to ensure commissioning practice takes place in a societal value framework

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The Wheel, Clann Credo - the Social Investment Fund and the Community Foundation for Ireland launched a key report on the future of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.[https://www.wheel.ie/sites/default/files/email.jpg]<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning>\n\nThe report, “Let’s Commission for Communities” demonstrates how the community and voluntary sector contributes added value to public services through additional funding, energy, endeavour and commitment in ways that are not otherwise available to the State.\n\nWe called on our supporters to 1) bring the report<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning> to the attention of anyone they think should understand these issues, especially in the context of the general election.\n * make a submission based on the report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s public consultation<http://www.per.gov.ie/en/commissioning/> on commissioning.'} {'name': 'Event / Reception All Councillors', 'role': 'The Wheel, Clann Credo - the Social Investment Fund and the Community Foundation for Ireland launched a key report on the future of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.[https://www.wheel.ie/sites/default/files/email.jpg]<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning>\n\nThe report, “Let’s Commission for Communities” demonstrates how the community and voluntary sector contributes added value to public services through additional funding, energy, endeavour and commitment in ways that are not otherwise available to the State.\n\nWe called on our supporters to 1) bring the report<http://wheel.ie/content/commissioning> to the attention of anyone they think should understand these issues, especially in the context of the general election.\n * make a submission based on the report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s public consultation<http://www.per.gov.ie/en/commissioning/> on commissioning.'} {'name': 'Orlaigh Quinn', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Paul Quinn', 'role': 'Government Chief Procurement Officer (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We communicated with various DPOs congratulating them on their election success / appointment and noting that we were "looking forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to support a thriving community and voluntary sector at the heart of a fair and just Ireland"

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Enda Kenny', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Brian Hayes', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 46 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We met with / communicated with selected DPOs to ensure supportive policy for the community and voluntary sector was included in the programme for government

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Maureen O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Finian McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We asked the DPOs to include the main recommendations of the “Let’s Commission for Communities” report in general election manifestos, and any relevant policy announcements or papers they were to produce during the election campaign.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Terry Quinn', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Michael Noonan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Brian Hayes', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)'} + 41 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Public Expenditure and Reform] We submitted a paper on the transposition of the European Procurement Directives into irish Law

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Quinn', 'role': 'Government Chief Procurement Officer (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] At the National Economic Dialogue, 27th June 2016, The Wheel called for implementation of Programme-for-Government commitments relating to the community and voluntary sector, including: to increase funding levels to support the sector, develop a multi-annual funding model, develop a strategy to support the community and voluntary sector, produce a coherent policy framework for the sector, encourage a cooperative approach, and ensure commissioning takes place in a societal value fram

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Enda Kenny', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Michael Noonan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} + 6 more

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] The Wheel met with officials and advisers from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community, and Local Government, to discuss implementation of the Programme for Government Commitments relating to the Community and Voluntary Sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bob Jordan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] The Wheel briefed John Shaw, Department of the Taoiseach, on the Programme for Government Commitments relating to supporting and developing the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John Shaw', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Economic Development and Industry] The Wheel participated as a member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar in a meeting with Ministers and officials at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and called for the Department to implement the recommendations of the Forfas Report on Social Enterprise

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'John Halligan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'John Murphy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Social Protection] The Wheel participated in the Department of Social Protection's Pre-Budget Forum

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Social Protection)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Policies to support a greater role for citizens in public decision making

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ryan Meade (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We sent every TD elected to the 32nd Dáil a copy of the report Citizens Rising with a cover letter asking for the opportunity to brief them further.'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Programme for Government commitment to develop a strategy for the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Lemass', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)'} {'name': 'Bob Jordan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)'} {'name': "Jan O'Sullivan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Matters relating to Programme for Government commitment to develop a strategy to support the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Dónall Geoghegan', 'role': 'Adviser to Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Programme for Government Commitment to develop a strategy to support the community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Doyle', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Community and Voluntary Pillar Bi-lateral meeting with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Mary Mitchell O'Connor", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Pat Breen', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Jim McGrath', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'John Murphy', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Bi lateral pre-Budget meeting between Community and Voluntary Pillar and Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Noonan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Pre Budget Press Conference

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Informal communication All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We held a press conference on 27 September at which a press release was issued calling on Government to prioritise expenditure on social infrastructure in Budget 20127'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] We communicated with various DPOs on social media and by letter congratulating them on their election success / appointment and noting that we were "looking forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to support a thriving community and voluntary sector''

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} + 8 more

The Wheel

September–December

[Public Expenditure and Reform] Submitted specific proposals in relation to DPERs work to develop Principles for Commissioning Human, Social and Community Services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Orlaigh Quinn', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Budgetary matters] The Wheel called for funding for public services delivered by community and voluntary organisations to be prioritised over reductions in taxation in Budget 2016

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Oireachtas members were invited to the press briefing held on Tuesday 6th October in Buswells Hotel'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Community] Lauched report on Rethinking Citizenship for 2016 (entitled Citizens Rising) aimed at developing policies that support active citizenship and community empowerment

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We invited all members of the Oireachtas to attend the launch of the Report (entitled Citizens Rising) held in The Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday 29th October'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Social Protection] The Wheel is a member of a coalition called the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights initiative. The ESC Rights Initiative is a coalition of civil society organisations that support strengthened economic, social and cultural rights protection in the Irish Constitution. The coalition emailed a short manifesto (on 19th November and on 16th December) to selected TDs and councillors calling for the inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights in the constitution

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Derek Nolan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Kingston', 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Thomas Pringle', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Eoin O'Broin", 'role': 'Councillor (South Dublin County Council)'} + 1 more

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs