Overwatch Report

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

May–August

[EU Affairs] EU COM 2020 682, Proposal for a Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages in the European Union

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

May–August

[EU Affairs] 14-15 June ESOCO Debate on Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'An Tánaiste (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Communications Workers' Union (CWU)

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Employment] Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Clare Daly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke Ming Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Chris MacManus', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Colm Markey', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 7 more

Breaking Through Company Limited by Guarantee

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] • The need for a dedicated aftercare budget to allow adequate planning and increase resources available to young people in aftercare. It was acknowledged that aftercare given statutory footing has hugely increased the need to adequately fund the sector but that there was still a way to go regarding this. • The issue of high caseloads for aftercare workers throughout the country and the obvious detrimental effects this has on the quality of service young people are ge

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

September–December

[EU Affairs] EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'}

Bassline Strategy Ltd

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Health] Engagement on the provision of adequate diagnostic tools for heart valve disease

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

September–December

[Employment] Draft Directive published by the EU Commission in October 2020 on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All MEPs', 'role': ''}

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

September–December

[EU Affairs] Draft Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Damien English', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Maria Walsh', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

Galway Traveller Movement

September–December

[Housing] An adequate emergency response to families living on the roadside during an orange weather warning

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Liam Hanrahan', 'role': 'Director of Services or Equivalent (Galway County Council)'}

DFBA Community Enterprises CLG

September–December

[Development and Zoning] Asking public representatives to make representations to Irish Water to urge a change of attitude to the provision of adequate water supply in Dunhill, Co Waterford.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Marc Ó Cathasaigh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Liam Brazil', 'role': 'Councillor (Waterford City and County Council)'} {'name': 'Malcolm Noonan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

Croi - The West of ireland Cardiac Foundation Limited

on behalf of Yes (client not named)

September–December

[Health] Engagement on the provision of adequate diagnostic tools for heart valve disease.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

September–December

[Social Protection] Engagement with elected officials as part of the European Anti Poverty Network in Ireland's policy group on the need to benchmark social welfare rates to an adequate level

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Joe O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Marie McNally', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Young Social Innovators

September–December

[Education and Training] The Government’s commitment in its Programme which states the intention to ‘expand access to social innovation programmes to all post primary schools’ In Ireland, I to ‘expand access to social innovation programmes to all post primary schools’ In Ireland. The work of YSI around the country and how we hope to increase youthled social innovation activity in the coming years. Ensuring that the future of this work is supported with adequate core funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

National Principals' Forum

January–April

[Education and Training] Raising awareness of the issues maligning the Primary Education system, particularly the unsustainable pressures on Principal teachers and also the inadequate provisions and funding for meeting the needs of pupils with Special Education Needs in our schools.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'We used email to send a message to primary school principals nationwide directing them to our website where template letters are available to amend and email to public representatives, the DES and Minister for Education and Skills, and other education stakeholders.'} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland

January–April

[Health] Raising awareness of the need for dedicated Huntington's Disease multidisciplinary clinics and adequately resourced neurological, mental health, genetic, neuro-rehabilitation, disability and appropriate care services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ossian Smyth', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

January–April

[EU Affairs] ICMSA setting out the importance of cross party support for an adequately funded CAP.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': ''}

Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

January–April

[Social Protection] Key General Election issues for people who are unemployed, distanced from the labour market, and working on these issues, including calls for adequate income; supportive employment services; supportive activation programmes; access to decent work; and support for community based organisations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'INOU called for all social welfare rates to be benchmarked at a level which is sufficient to lift people above the poverty line and provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living; provide good career and employment guidance to support unemployed people to make informed choices; ensure that individuals and communities most disadvantaged in the labour market are pro-actively provided with tailor made supports; open up access to employment programmes for unemployed people signing on for credits; ensure that unemployed people’s participation in employment programmes is by choice; provide good advice and guidance to support unemployed people to access appropriate education and training; ensure that decent work is at the heart of all employment and jobs policies; add socio-economic status as a ground into Ireland’s equality legislation; properly support independent community based organisations and their work with people experiencing social and economic exclusion.'}

Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)

January–April

[Justice and Equality] #Right2Justice campaign in advance of General Election 2020 seeking candidates to sign up to a pledge committing, if elected, to work to ensure adequate resources are given to provide civil legal aid, and seek a root and branch review of the system; and recognise that a properly functioning and accessible courts system, including properly resourced family law courts, is essential to providing access to justice.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'All Oireachtas Members running for General Election 2020.'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'All Councillors running for General Election 2020.'}

Age Action

January–April

[Social Protection] to highlight the income inadequacy of older people who depend on social welfare payments during COVID-19 and request adequate response measures to address same

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'} {'name': 'Jacqui McCrum', 'role': 'Deputy Secretary (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Age Action

January–April

[Social Protection] to highlight the income inadequacy of older people who depend on social welfare payments during COVID-19 and request adequate response measures to address same

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louise O'Reilly", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Age Action

January–April

[Social Protection] to highlight the income inadequacy of older people who depend on social welfare payments during COVID-19 and request adequate response measures to address same

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Tim Duggan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Housing] Wrote to the newly appointed Minister for Housing welcoming many of the commitments detailed in the Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ including the committment to develop a Youth Homelessness Strategy, a committment to ensure that Rent Supplement and HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households and a committment to increase funding and to work with a range of stakeholders to help rough sleepers into sustainable accommodation.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

The Disability Action Coalition

May–August

[Health] Funding for Section 39 disability service providers, reversal of €20m funding cut, implement Catherine Day report, need for adequate Covid 19 fund for disability sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Joanne Lonergan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Irish Sudden Infant Death Association

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Sought support for retention of a senior Minister and Department for the Community and Voluntary Sector and that the contribution of charities, and community and voluntary organisations is recognised, and adequately resourced and supported in the next Programme for Government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Gary Gannan', 'role': 'TD (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Mary Lou Mc Donald', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

May–August

[Health] Funding for Section 39 disability service providers, reversal of €20m funding cut, implement Catherine Day report, need for adequate Covid 19 fund for disability sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Joanne Lonergan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Health)'}

Barnardos

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Highlighting the needs of vulnerable children and parents in Ireland. Presenting the work of Barnardos and stressing the need for adequate statutory funding.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Erin McGreehan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Social Protection] Letter sent to John McKeon, Secretary General, Dept of Employment Affairs and Social Protection seeking assurances in relation to the inadequate staffing levels that are affecting the processing of carers' benefit and allowances.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'John McKeon', 'role': 'Secretary General (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Education and Training] Emails and phone calls on 6th November regarding the inadequate provision of PPE for Special Needs Assistants & for the Dept of Education & Skills to bring their guidance for this in line with HSE advice. Also email of 13th November setting out Fórsa's position on the non-compulsory nature of the additional 72-hours in the SNA contract & the union's opposition to these discretionary hours being working during high levels of pandemic restrictions.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Donnchadh O Laoghaire', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Development Education Association

September–December

[Education and Training] Completed a questionnaire on matters relating to development of a new department Statement of Strategy. Called for high strategic prioritisation and adequate funding for the forthcoming strategy for Education for Sustainable Development.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

St Michael's House Group

September–December

[Health] St. Michael's House responded on Social Media platforms to the announcement of an additional €10 million nationally for disability services by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte TD in October 2020. It was less than 10% of the requested budget required nationally. St.Michael's House lobbied DPO's online for recognition and reconciliation for Inadequate Budget for service delivery for National Disability Sector and for the bud

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 10 more

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