AONTAS

Lobbying Organisation AONTAS

Date published 21 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Engagement with Minsiter Harkin to highlight the value of community education

Intended results Visit to Cranmore Community Cooperative, Sligo Sustainable Funding for Community Education. Improvements to validation processes that support the engagement of small providers

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.

Email (2-5)

Emails between the 3rd and the 5th of February to organise visit and share briefing materials on the impact of funding precarity of the sector and proposed solutions, as well amendments to validation processes

Event / Reception (1)

Minister Harkin attended Cranmore Cooperative on Monday the 9th of February to attend a launch of a community resource and visit the community education centre to meet learners and staff.

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.

Marian Harkin Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)