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 The Chair person of Sophia, along with the Chair of Midlands Simon Community met with Peter Burke to highlight the need for increased funding for services to support those experiencing homelessness across the Midlands.

Intended results Make the Minister aware of the increased support need to help those experience homelessness in the Midlands, of the collaborative work and savings attained by Sophia and Midlands Simon Community working together and to make the Minister aware of the need for increased funding to provide support services to those experiencing homelessness in the Midlands.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mark Cooney (Chair Midlands Simon Community) and Michael McCarthy (Chair of Sophia)

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.

Virtual Meeting (1)

On the 11th of February 2022 a virtual meeting as held where the chairs of Midlands Simon Community and Sophia gave a presentation highlighting the collaborative work that both organisations carry out to provide support to people experiencing homelessness in the Midlands and of the need for increased funding to proved supports to homeless services in the Midlands.

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.

Peter Burke Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)