Overwatch Report

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Housing] Submission seeking the inclusion of a range of public policies and programmes in the incoming Government's Programme for Government in respect of addressing homelessness, domestic and gender based violence and older people living in the their homes in the community.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Clare Mungovan', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Housing] Seeking the introduction of policy initiatives focused bring forwards specific solutions for vulnerable cohorts in homelessness; independent appeals system for homeless and social housing supports applications and seeking opportunity for the Irish Homeless Policy group, a coalition of NGO's to engagement with the new Oireachtas Housing Committee

Public Officials Lobbied

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

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Housing] Seeking a change in policy, prevention and data collection in regard to youth homelessness, for an increased understanding of the extent of youth homelessness across 18 local authorities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Adrienne Wallace', 'role': 'Councillor (Carlow County Council)'} {'name': 'Peter Horgan', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Joe Lynch', 'role': 'Councillor (Cork City Council)'} {'name': 'Conor Reddy', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Mícheál MacDonncha', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} {'name': 'Dermot Lacey', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 11 more

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Budget 2026, calling for targeted, adequately resourced, and structurally transformative policies to address pressing social challenges including in the areas of housing, homelessness including youth homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, older people, poverty eradication, and supports to the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 19 more

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Community] Submission as part of the consultation process by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on the development of a successor to Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities 2019-2024, the Government's five year strategy for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Finance] Seeking the balance of the capital cost for the development of COPE Galway's Modh Eile House Domestic Abuse refuge at 47 Forster Street, Galway. tment of it own finds i in Modh Eile House.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': "Jim O'Callaghan", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'} {'name': 'Sean Canney', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'} {'name': 'Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Cuan)'} + 1 more

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Finance] Budget 2026, calling for targeted, adequately resourced, and structurally transformative policies to address pressing social challenges including in the areas of housing, homelessness including youth homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, older people, poverty eradication, and supports to the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Peter Roche', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Albert Dolan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Louis O'Hara", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Kyne', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Ollie Crowe', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 1 more

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Community] Priorities for Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council in 2026

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Thomas Byrne', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Housing] Housing and homelessness with a view to inclusion of the voice of those using homeless services in respect of the EU's Affordable Housing Plan and the up-coming EU's Anti-Poverty Strategy. Shortage of affordable rental accommodation, Short-term lets issue, High number of Traveller families with children in homelessness, children in homelessness, increase in rough sleeping and domestic violence as a cause of homelessness

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Billy Kelleher', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Barry Cowen', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Cynthia Ní Mhurchú', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciaran Mullooly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 3 more

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Finance] Launch of ‘Telling It Like It Is 3: Experiences of Older People at End-of-Life 2025 by Alliance of Age Sector NGOs, using the National End of Life Survey to highlight priorities: communication, access to key people/help, community care and bereavement support.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Thomas Gould', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'William Aird', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Fiona O'Loughlin", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Teresa Costello', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Shane Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 15 more

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Housing] With 1200 men seeking International Protection having been denied basic accommodation and sleeping on the streets of Dublin City Centre since January 2024. The Taoiseach is asked on behalf of the state to fulfil our legal obligations to provide for the basic needs of these international protection applicants, including the provision of shelter, food and access to basic hygiene facilities.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Health] ale of Alcohol Bill - making an urgent call for the government to fully assess the implications of increased alcohol availability in light of a comprehensive body of evidence that extending alcohol availability and trading hours increases the burden on public services including ambulance, Emergency Depts and Gardai, crime, domestic violence, sexual violence and road deaths.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Housing] Male refugees from countries other than Ukraine are being forced into street homelessness due to a direct decision by a department of the state. The accommodation response taken towards this group of individuals has been unfairly decided based on nationality and gender.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Budget 2025, seeking budgetary provision be made for a range of measures including additional social housing and housing options for older people, homeless families and youth homelessness. Measures to address domestic abuse. The introduction of a statutory Homecare scheme and increased homecare hours for older people. Measures to address and alleviate poverty. Supports for the Community and Voluntary sector including full cost recovery for delivery of essential services.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jack Chambers', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Finance] Request for additional financial support for the work of COPE Galway in supporting older people to continue to live independently in their own homes in the community and to continue to positively impact on the their lives.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Paid Domestic Violence leave; asking that in the drafting ministerial regulations to prescribe the daily rate of Domestic Violence Leave pay, as per S13AA (6) of the Parental Leave Act as amended the Minister include provision for domestic Violence Leave should to be paid in full at 100% of the person’s normal rate of pay

Public Officials Lobbied

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

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Support for Irish charities, community and voluntary groups and social enterprises in the upcoming Budget for 2024; in particular those relating to issues of pay parity, funding adjustments, and multi-annual funding agreements. Charities must also be empowered to seek philanthropic support through a strong incentivisation of fundraising and giving

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ciaran Cannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Budgetary matters] Making recommendations COPE Galway are asking be included in Budget 2024.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Health] Support for the COPE Galway Mealth4Health Social Enterprise and general funding support

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Finance] Seeking funding towards the balance of the capital building and associated costs incurred by COPE Galway for the development of the organisations Domestic Abuse services facilities at Modh Eile House in Galway City and for which the organisation is carrying a debt since 2020.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport)'}

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Health] Call on Government to immediately set a firm date for a Citizens’ Assembly on drugs in 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Seeking payment of COVID-19 bonus under the Covid Recognition Payment Scheme to workers in homeless services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Making recommendations COPE Galway are asking be included in Budget 2023.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 4 more

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Seeking support for Irish charities, community and voluntary groups and social enterprises in the upcoming Budget for 2023 who need comprehensive supports and resources to continue their essential work

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Finance] Seeking payment of COVID-19 bonus under the Covid Recognition Payment Scheme to workers in COPE Galway Older Peoples Services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Finance] Supporting the Budget 2023 Submission of The Wheel seeking a range of measures relating to the adequate funding and resourcing of the wider community and voluntary sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mairéad Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Noel Grealish', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Canney', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Housing] Seeking the convening of a National Homelessness Action Committee and a pause of notices of termination of tenancies

Public Officials Lobbied

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

COPE Galway CLG

September–December

[Housing] Made recommendations regarding actions Government could take during the winter eviction ban

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kevin Dillon', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'}

COPE Galway CLG

January–April

[Finance] To highlight the risk to the sustainability of essential services provided by COPE Galway and to set out the funding required from the HSE, to safeguard the continued provision of homeless services, and services for older people. COPE Galway has delivered on our commitment to keep those most vulnerable safe and supported, and we now require HSE support to secure the ongoing sustainability of our services and to mitigate against the very real risks associated with inadequate funding l

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Super Junior Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)'} {'name': 'Éamon Ó Cuív', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

COPE Galway CLG

May–August

[Justice and Equality] A review of civil legal aid; seeking a commitment that the upcoming review of the civil legal aid system is comprehensive, meaningful, transparent, inclusive and participatory, incorporating the voices of citizens and stakeholders.

Public Officials Lobbied

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

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs