The Union of Students in Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Union of Students in Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Increased investment in mental health funding for student mental health services

Intended results Increased funding ringfenced to support student counselling services and investment in line with the Scottish model.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Lorna Fitzpatrick

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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Email Minister Harris to discuss the issue

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 with specific funding request circulated to both Ministers and staff within the department.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Raised number of times at meetings hosted by the Department where the Minister would have been in attendance.

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.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)

Simon Harris TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Mitchell O’Connor Minister of State (Department of Education and Skills)

William Beausang Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)