Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

Lobbying Organisation Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

Date published 20 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details In July, the INOU participated in the Department of Social Protection’s Pre-Budget Forum, which took place in Dublin Castle. In advance of and preparation for the 2024 Pre-budget Forum the INOU sent a Pre-Budget Submission to the Department.

Intended results To promote key aspects of the INOU 2025 Pre-Budget Submission. In particular, an increase in social welfare payments of least €20 per week to address the issue of income inadequacy; to deliver wrap around employment and support services; to support people to address the initial costs of taking up employment by introducing a travel card or a voucher system; to change the system for working part-time and signing-on to one based on the number of hours worked rather than the number of days.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Bríd O'Brien, Head of Policy and Media

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.

Meeting (2-5)

Other asks include: earlier access to Christmas Bonus and Fuel Allowance for people on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA); end of age segregation in JA; proactive social welfare health check that informs people of relevant supports and services; increase Back to Work Enterprise Allowance; increase additional payment on employment programmes by €10; properly support adult learners to participate; resource community organisations in their work with people experiencing social and economic exclusion.

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.

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)