National Youth Council of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation National Youth Council of Ireland

Date published 20 Jan, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Sep, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

Specific Details Pre Budget Submission 2025

Intended results Attendance of Oireachtas members to NYCI Local Champions Pre Budget showcase in Buswells Hotel 18th September Meeting with Oireachtas members on NYCI pre Budget submission Ensuring that youth work funding was considered as part of Child Poverty Budget Ensure Oireachtas members were aware of NYCI Pre Budget asks in advance of Budget 2025 Increased investment in youth work in Budget 2025 Funding for Youth Homelessness Strategy in Budget 2025 Removal of sub-minimum rates of pay in Budget 2025 Equalisation of Jobseekers Allowance for u25s in Budget 2025 Reduced third level fees in Budget 2025

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Kathryn Walsh

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Kathryn Reilly (Former DPO) Senator (Seanad)

Grace McManus (Former DPO) Councillor (Wicklow County Council)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Directed NYCI member organisations to host meetings in their constituencies with local political representatives on NYCI’s pre-budget asks Directed members of the public to add their name to a postcard that was sent to their Local TD, and encouraged them to contact local politicians in support of NYCI’s pre-budget priorities Supported a group of youth volunteers 'Local Champions' to meet their local TDs in support of pre-budget asks Local Champions and members of NYCI were asked to contact their local Oireachtas members to ask them to attend the Pre Budget briefing on 18th September in Buswell's hotel. Supported follow up emails to Oireachtas members directly from attendees.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members Reminder invitation to all Oireachtas members for pre budget showcase 18th sept

Social Media All TDs Tweets to encourage TDs to attend the pre budget showcase 18th sept

Lobby day All Oireachtas Members Lobby day in Buswells 18th September including young people, NYCI staff, member organisations and board members

Letter All TDs Delivered a tailor made postcard with signatures from constituents to all TDs seeking increased investment in youth work in Budget 2025

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (11-20)

Virtual Meeting (1)

Meeting to discuss NYCI PBS with Senator Erin McGreehan on 20th September

Meeting (1)

Meeting held with Deputy Claire Kerrane on 10th Sept in Leinster House on NYCI's pre-budget 2025 and election manifesto priorities. Follow up email sent on 13th Sept including a copy of NYCI's pre-budget submission 2025

Event / Reception (1)

Speech by Mary Cunningham and youth advocates at the launch of the 'Opportunities for Youth' youth work strategy launch, which included a call for increased investment in Budget 2025. Informal conversation on same occurred between Mary Cunningham and Carol Baxter at the event

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Erin McGreehan Senator (Seanad)

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Annie Hoey Senator (Seanad)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Richard Boyd Barrett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick Costello TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)

Marie Sherlock Senator (Seanad)

Jen Cummins Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Carol Baxter Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)