Childminding Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Childminding Ireland

Date published 18 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details Calling for meaningful inclusion of childminders in the process of government planning, access to funding and training for childminders. Raising concerns of childminders including those raised at the national childminding consultation workshops.

Intended results Inclusion of appropriate childminding policies in party manifestos and programs for government. Childminders to be meaningfully included in decision making for their sector. To influence the outcome of the forthcoming Childminding Action Plan, so that actions support childminding and registration and regulation is proportionate and appropriate.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity M B Orbinski Burke

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? Asked childminders to contact their local candidates in General Election 2020, asking candidates to address childminding issues. A a draft letter was supplied for childminders to adapt as they wished.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members All candidates in General Election 2020 were asked for their personal position on childminding issues. The responses were collated and shared with childminders.

Email All Oireachtas Members Love my Childminder press release sent to all Oireachtas Members.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

2-5 emails per Meetings requested to discuss childminding issues.

Email (2-5)

2-5 emails per Childminding must be included in your Manifesto, campaign during General Election 2020

Letter (1)

1 Letter to the Directors of Elections for political parties

Meeting (1)

1 Meeting with Sinn Féin representatives to discuss the childminding component of their Programme for Government.

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.

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Denise Mitchell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Andrew Doyle Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Brendan Howlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Shane Ross Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

Eamon Ryan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pearse Doherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ivana Bacik Senator (Seanad)

Dermot Looney Councillor (South Dublin County Council)