Early Childhood Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Early Childhood Ireland

Date published 16 Jan, 2017

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details The allocation of funding in Budget 2017 and otherwise to advance the quality of early education and care provided to young children, the sustainability of the Early Education and Care sector and affordability for parents. Includes the allocation of sufficient resources to ECCE, the Affordable Childcare Scheme, other measures to support sustainability and professionalisation of the sector, Out of School provision

Intended results The design of the new Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) to take account of the realities of the sector, that it address sustainability and professionalisation, that it is easy for providers to administer and for there to be a fully developed consultation process to involve the sector in its design. Development of the Learner Fund as a permanent and comprehensive range of supports for learners. Increases in capitation and other changes in ECCE and other support schems to address sustainability of settings, better pay for Early Years Professionals, recognition of CPD and non-contact time, better supports for governance of Community-based settings Development of the Learner Fund as a permanent and comprehensive range of supports for learners. A new initiative to pilot new collaborative models of childcare at a local level. uccessful implementation of the AIM programme to include children with additional needs in pre-schooling, and its extension to all children in early years settings. Design of supports for Out of School care to be based on children's needs and being coherent with policy for the sector as a whole. Better pay for early years professionals, linked with greater sustainability for providers. The introduction of CPD and paid non-contact time for early years professionals.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Teresa Heeney

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Donall Geoghegan (Former DPO) Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Contact their TDs and Senators asking them to prioritise additional investment in the early years in Budget 2017.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members Provided all TDs and Senators with the Early Childhood Ireland Budget 2017 Submission and additional information.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (51-100)

Phone call (31-50)

Phone calls on a wide range of the above subjects.

Submission (2-5)

Early Childhood Ireland Budget 2017 Submission and our report on the real cost of providing childcare, "Doing the Sums", in September 2016.

Event / Reception (2-5)

Hosting by Early Childhood Ireland of EECERA at DCU, Dublin, in September involving the Minister and officials from DCYA. Launch by ECI of 'Doing the Sums - The Real Cost of Providing Childcare' in October, including an input by the Minister.

Meeting (21-30)

Meetings with target TDs and Senators at Leinster House, as well as with officials from DCYA, DES etc re Budget 2017

Social Media (100+)

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.

Bernie McNally Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Katherine Zappone TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Fergal Lynch Secretary General (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Gary Ó Donnchadha Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)

Jan O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alice-Mary Higgins Senator (Seanad)

Colette Kelleher Senator (Seanad)

Kate O'Connell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Martin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Ryan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick Costello Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robert Watt Secretary General (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Jerry O'Connor Special Adviser (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh Senator (Seanad)

Máire Devine Senator (Seanad)

Patricia Ryan Special Adviser (Department of Health)

Joan Freeman Senator (Seanad)

Jan O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rose Conway-Walsh Senator (Seanad)