Overwatch Report

The Ark Childrens Cultural Centre CLG (The Ark)

September–December

[Arts] Written submission to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters outlining The Ark's experience of the systematic impediments to the full participation of disabled artists in the arts. It encouraged the Committee to investigate the apparent anomaly in Social Protection regulations which prevents artists in receipt of disability payments from taking up publicly funded grants, bursaries or residencies without impacting their entitlements.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Higgins', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

O Cualann Cohousing Alliance CLG

September–December

[Housing] We engaged with officials in Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council to progress affordable housing projects in the county.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Ward', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (South Dublin County Council)'}

O Cualann Cohousing Alliance CLG

September–December

[Housing] We engaged with an elected representative in relation to upcoming decision impacting on our affordable housing projects.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eoin Ó Broin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

SSE plc

September–December

[Energy and Natural Resources] Email to request a meeting with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Steven Matthews', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

SIPTU - Services Industrial Professional Trade Union

September–December

[EU Affairs] Meeting in relation to the EU Directive on Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

September–December

[Social Protection] As part of the Community and Voluntary Pillar, the INOU met with the Department of Social Protection to discuss Budget 2022; addressing poverty and the role of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion; the need for more effective consultation, engagement and evaluation processes; and to follow-up on a range of issues of concern for CVP members.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Teresa Leonard', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Geraldine Hurley', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)'}

National Youth Council of Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Engagement with Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) on reform of Youth Service Grant Scheme (YSGS)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Health] To highlight that that some medical card holders who are residents of nursing homes cannot access essential personal equipment such as wheelchairs.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'}

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Health] To highlight key issues in relation to home care support and Sage Advocacy's work in supporting individuals and families who need to access care and support to continue living in their own homes.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Fergus O'Dowd", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Budgetary matters] To highlight to an elected representative key issues in relation to older people and Budget 2022 and the lack of progress on the development of the Commission on Care, pledged by the Government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou McDonald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Murphy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Health] To ask the Minister for Older People if she can provide an update to people, who may be vulnerable and their families, who are waiting for home care hours on when they will receive these what is happening on the ground to ensure people will be supported to continue living in their own homes.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Fergus O'Dowd (Former DPO)", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Health] To raise awareness of Sage Advocacy's work and to share a discussion document by Sage Advocacy which examined a number of key issues in relation to Covid-19 including the support and care of older people and mental health issues arising from Covid-19.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Carrigy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Health] Community Vaccinations: To ask the Minister for Health when will those who are awaiting an additional Covid-19 vaccine at home, particularly those over 70 in our communities, will receive their booster vaccine?

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marc MacSharry', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Sage Advocacy

September–December

[Health] To raise awareness of Sage Advocacy's work and to share a discussion document by Sage Advocacy which examined a number of key issues in relation to Covid-19 and also to highlight Sage Advocacy's support for the development of the Commission on Care.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Patricia Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

September–December

[Health] Traveller engagement with the National Drugs Strategy

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Greenogue Management No2 ltd

September–December

[Development and Zoning] Development plan in South Dublin

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Councillors', 'role': 'All South Dublin county councillors'}

Irish Georgian Society

September–December

[Heritage] Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maurice Buckley', 'role': 'Chairman (The Office of Public Works)'}

DOWNEY PLANNING

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Development and Zoning] discussion with local councillor regarding regeneration of airport business park and the forthcoming Fingal County Development Plan and the issue of the manager draft development plan issued in Dec 21

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Darragh Butler', 'role': 'Councillor (Fingal County Council)'}

Irish Deer Commission

September–December

[Agriculture] Introduction of HAMS (Hunter Area Management System) for hunters using Coillte Teo Property to hunt fur or feather

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Fleming', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

September–December

[Health] Staffing shortages in Kerry Community Hospital in Dingle, Co. Kerry

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Employment] Review of the Economic Migration Policy - to remove personal services from the Ineligible Occupations List - removal of Hairdressers, Barbers, Beauticians; Hairdressing and Beauty Salon Managers

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Submission of the HABIC Pre- Budget Submission for the personal grooming industry

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pascal Dohoghue', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'John McGuinness', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Social Innovation Growth Fund Ireland Limited trading as Rethink Ireland.

September–December

[Community] To engage with departments around a feasibility study on social outcomes and get their advice and support

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Orlaigh Quinn', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Carol Baxter', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers

September–December

[Housing] To provide Government with alternative solutions to the current proposal under the 'Housing for All' Plan that all rental accommodation be certified by letting agents prior to being let, to the 2017 Housing Standards for Rented Houses.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Aidan Davitt', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Irish Travel Agents Association

September–December

[Transport] Calling on Government to reverse decision to cut EWSS and requesting that Travel Agents to be included in future financial supports.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Letter sent by the ITAA to TDs and Senators Calling on Government to reverse decision to cut EWSS and requesting that Travel Agents to be included in future financial supports.'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Letter sent by the ITAA to TDs and Senators Calling on Government to reverse decision to cut EWSS and requesting that Travel Agents to be included in future financial supports.'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Kevin Barrett', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} + 1 more

Irish Association of Investment Managers

September–December

[Environment] IAIM requested the Dept. of Finance to facilitate IAIM delegates to be part of the Irish Delegation to attend COP26 Conference in Glasgow.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Ryan', 'role': 'Director (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Travel Agents Association

September–December

[Transport] Covid 19 Business Support for Travel Agents

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Denise Duffy', 'role': 'Press Adviser (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Paul Melia', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Kevin Barrett', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

INTO - Irish National Teachers' Organisation

September–December

[Education and Training] INTO Pre Budget Campaign "We can do Better" demands that Budget 2022 address and deliver the following a reduction in class size, restoration of middle management, establish supply panels and increase school funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Pre Budget Discussion meeting with An Tanaiste and Minister English.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Declan Hughes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Matthew Lynch', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Image Learning and Development Training Network, company Limited by Guarantee T/A HABIC

September–December

[Education and Training] Meeting with Minister Collins regarding learning and development in the personal grooming industry.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Niall Collins', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs