AONTAS

Lobbying Organisation AONTAS

Date published 20 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Adequacy of income supports for adult learners

Intended results Review and reform of the range of financial supports available to adult learners to support their engagement in further education.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Conor Thompson

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?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

In attendance at the annual Cost of Education event on the 3rd of April in Croke Park, the Head of Advocacy and Policy had an opportunity to meet with Minister James Lawless, and Minister Harkin and present him with an overview of the financial barriers to participation in lifelong learning, and recommendations for action to resolve this issue. The CEO also had an opportunity to discuss this issue with Minster Harkin.

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.

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Marian Harkin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)