AONTAS

Lobbying Organisation AONTAS

Date published 20 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details AONTAS called for improved financial supports for learners in Further Education and Training. Specifically: Increased training and supplementary allowances, funding for learners on part-time programmes and provision of a dedicated information service on financial supported in Further Education and Training.

Intended results Benchmarking of social welfare payments to level on par or above the poverty line (60% of median income in Ireland as calculated by CSO), meaning that learners in Further Education and Training will have the conditions needed to successfully engage in education. 50% increase in supplementary allowances (transport, food etc.) in FET at cost of approx. €7m Provision of dedicated information service on financial supports in FET/ simplification of process of gaining financial support in FET. Provision of funding for people for people on part time programmes in Further Education and Training.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Deabháil Lawless

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.

Lobby day (1)

AONTAS Event to explore policy solutions to increasing levels of poverty and income inequality for adult learners. 4th of March 2024 The Richmond Education and Event Centre, Smithfield, Dublin. Attended by DPO Colm O'Reardon, Secretary General, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Attended by adult and community education staff, FET staff, ETB staff and policymakers, including representatives from the Department of Further and Higher Education.

Event / Reception (1)

Labour Party Conference 23rd March Helix Theatre, Dublin 9 AONTAS had exhibition stand and spoke to following Labour representatives about this policy ask: Ivana Bacik, TD Brendan Howlin, TD Ged Nash, TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, TD Mark Wall, Senator Annie Hoey, Senator

Event / Reception (1)

Fine Gael Ardfheis 6th April, Galway University Dearbháil Lawless attended the event and spoke to Simon Harris TD about this policy ask.

Event / Reception (1)

Fianna Fáil Ardfheis 13th April, 2024, Radission Blu Hotel, Dublin Conor Thompson attended event and spoke to Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister Niall Collins TD about this policy ask.

Social Media (21-30)

AONTAS posted across X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram about our engagement with DPOs after the following events: Labour Party Conference 23rd March Fine Gael Ardfheis 6th April Fianna Fáil Ardfheis 13th April In these posts we tagged the DPOs we met and spoke to and linked to this policy brief which contains our asks: https://www.aontas.com/assets/resources/Policy/Hidden%20Cost%20of%20Adult%20Education-%20Policy%20Brief_KS%20edits_FINAL.pdf

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.

Colm O'Reardon Secretary General (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Ivana Bacik TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ged Nash TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mark Wall Senator (Seanad)

Annie Hoey Senator (Seanad)

Brendan Howlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)