Sophia

Lobbying Organisation Sophia

Date published 13 May, 2022

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Housing

Period 1 Jan, 2022 to 30 Apr, 2022

Specific Details Sophia as part of the Homeless Network submitted a letter to a number of ministers drawing their attention to the role of front line staff in homeless services during the pandemic and that they should be included in the covid recognition payment.

Intended results We hoped that our staff (including nurses, project workers, care workers, cleaners, catering, and other auxiliary staff) who worked with residents, clients and services users on a face-toface basis during the pandemic should have their contributions recognised for inclusion in this Covid Recognition Payment Scheme

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sophia is a member of the Dublin Homeless Network which submitted a lobbying letter on behalf of all members.

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.

Letter (1)

The Dublin Homeless Network comprises 16 organisations that provide services for homeless and socially excluded households and communities within Dublin and in some cases nationally. The Network meets to share information and to assist in the coordination and delivery of services and policy responses. Its members play a vital part in Dublin and nationally in supporting some of the most marginalised households by providing a full spectrum of services in the prevention of homelessness, providing supported temporary and emergency accommodation and providing long term supported housing. The Dublin Homeless Network nominate onto the governance structures of the DRHE. Sophia is one of the members of this network. The letter submitted highlighted the commitment of our staff in supporting the most vulnerable in our society, despite the risk to themselves, throughout the pandemic and that they should be recognized along with other frontline workers.

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.

Leo Varadkar Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

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

Mary Hayes Director of Services or Equivalent (Dublin City Council)