Overwatch Report

The Wheel

September–December

[Education and Training] The Wheel held an Roadshow event in Sligo which was attended by Minister Marian Harkin.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marian Harkin', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[EU Affairs] The Wheel met with the European Economic and Social Council (EESC) to discuss Ireland’s priorities for the Irish Presidency of the EU in relation to civil society.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Joe Healy', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)'}

The Wheel

September–December

[Social Protection] The Wheel presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters about advancing the rights of disabled people in relation to employment and the important role played by the community and voluntary sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Maurice Quinlivan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Carrighy', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Peter 'Chap' Cleere", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Daly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seamus Healy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kiera Keogh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Presentation to policymakers in the AV Room in Leinster House. Focused on the breadth and depth of the work ongoing in the sector and the capacity of the sector to meet current and future challenges.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Lynn Boylan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Eileen Flynn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attended a meeting called by Minister Joe O'Brien re integration and community supports.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] To ensure that support for the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector is recognised in the formation of policies and election manifestos. To highlight the issue of pay parity within the sector, particularly in section 39/56/10 organisations where sector organisations are doing identical work to their public sector colleagues.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance at the Labour Party National Conference

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Duncan Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marie Sherlock', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway University

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Simon Coveney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Colm Burke', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Kieran O'Donnell", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Timmy Dooley', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Paul McAuliffe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Letter to Minister Patrick O'Donovan re skills needs of the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector, seeking meeting to engage further.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance at the Green Party Ard Fheis to advocate for the sustainability of the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Tabor Lodge Addiction and Housing Services CLG

January–April

[Health] CEO attended a Meeting of The Wheel in Cork and in the process she met with Minister Micheal McGrath. She discussed application for Capital Funding for Tabor Lodge and increased funding for Tabor Group.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colette Kelleher (Former DPO)', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance at the Aontú Ard Fheis to advocate for the sustainability of the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peadar Tóibín', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Email to Paul McAuliffe, TD and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Social Protection to arrange a meeting to discuss areas of concern to the community, voluntary, charity, and social enterprise sector and the people it serves.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul McAuliffe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Attendance by Minister Michael McGrath, TD, at an event in Nano Nagle Place, Cork, hosted by The Wheel.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

January–April

[Economic Development and Industry] Joint submission by The Wheel and Charities Institute Ireland, with legal input from MHC re. Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[Community] Follow-up letter to Minister Patrick O'Donovan re meeting agenda.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Wheel

January–April

[Education and Training] Skills Development Needs of Community and Voluntary Sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)'}

The Wheel

January–April

[EU Affairs] Request to forward invite to participate in European Elections Hustings organised by Coalition 2030 to Regina Doherty (FG), MEP candidate

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Maeve O'Connell", 'role': 'Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

John Gallagher

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

January–April

[Community] Promotion of Policies of The Wheel for charity, social enterprise and community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paul Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Grant Sweetnam', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Sarah Bardon', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

The Wheel

May–August

[Education and Training] Ivan Cooper, CEO of The Wheel, met with William Beausang to discuss the skills development needs of the community and voluntary sector, and the need for increased support in this area.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[EU Affairs] The Wheel contacted relevant minister to request support for the Social Economy Action Plan, and ask that Ireland seek nomination of a European Commissioner with specific responsibility for the social economy. Lastly, The Wheel requested that MEPs support the re-establishment of the European Parliament Social Economy Intergroup.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Peter Burke', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[EU Affairs] The Wheel emailed prospective candidates for the European Parliament elections asking them to support 'The Future is Community' campaign by signing a pledge to champion the work of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector at European level.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Lynn Boylan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 6 more

The Wheel

May–August

[EU Affairs] The Wheel hosted two hustings events where candidates for the European elections could answer questions from members about how they might support the community and voluntary sector if elected.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': "Grace O'Sullivan", 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] The Wheel's 2025 pre-Budget submission was sent to all TDs, along with an invitation to the launch event. Ministers and secretary generals of relevant departments, as well as joint committee chairs, were sent specific versions of the pre-Budget submission that relate to their areas of policy. The full submission can be found at www.wheel.ie and covers a wide range of areas including health, housing, child and youth participation, climate, poverty and inclusion.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Heather Humphreys', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Hurley', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} + 155 more

The Wheel

May–August

[EU Affairs] The Wheel met with MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú to seek support for our social economy work.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Meeting with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to priorities of the community and voluntary sector in Budget 2025.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Meeting with Minister O'Brien and Bairbre NicAongusa to advocate for greater investment in communities, including the development of supports for smaller community organisations who are not currently funded through social inclusion programmes, to support social cohesion and inclusion. To advocate for a timeframe for commencement of the Charities (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Bairbre Nic Aongusa', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] Discussion Ged Nash TD at the launch of The Wheel's Pre-Budget 2025 submission re support for the sector in election manifestos.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ged Nash', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Housing] The Wheel made a submission on the Department Of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Statement of Strategy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs