Children's Books Ireland CLG (Children's Books Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Children's Books Ireland CLG

Date published 20 Jan, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Sep, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

Specific Details We were asking for investment in school libraries and policies to support reading for joy for children and young people, locally, nationally, and in school communities

Intended results 1.Inclusion of support for reading for joy for children and young people in party election manifestos for General Election 2025. 2. Establish a National Advisory Group on School Library Provision to develop a National Strategy for School Libraries, with the key aim of ensuring there is a School Library and a School Librarian in all Primary and Post Primary Schools by end of 2024, as recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in its Reports on Leaving Certificate Reform and on Mental Health Supports in Schools. 3. In the interim, expand both the Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) Demonstration Library Project and JCSP Digital Library Service as an urgent national priority, as recommended in the same reports and as per the 2005 DEIS plan. 4. Ensure that reading for joy is at the heart of the upcoming National Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy, in order to increase motivation and engagement in children and young people of all ages.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Becky Long

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? 1. Asked potential voters to read our political briefing document on reading for joy in Irish schools, and to engage with campaigners they encountered on this topic. 2. To share our message across social media platforms using the hashtag, #ReadingRevolution.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

On the 10th of October 2024, emailed TDs and Special Advisors (Aine Doyle, Malcolm Byrne, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Niamh Smyth) in relation to Children's Books Ireland's political briefing document on reading for joy in Irish schools, with a view to securing support for this in the general election.

Email (2-5)

On the 15th of October 2024, emailed Aisling Dolan, FG Seanad Spokesperson on Education, Kathryn O'Riordan (DCEDIY), Mary Seery-Kearney FG Seanad Spokesperson on Children in relation to the Children's Books Ireland political briefing document on reading for joy.

Email (2-5)

On the 17th of October 2024, emailed Tánaiste Micheal Martin and Taoiseach Simon Harris in relation to the Children's Books Ireland political briefing document on reading for joy. Also sent a follow-up email to Aine Doyle re the same.

Email (1)

On the 29th of October 2024, responded to Marie Sherlock's email in relation to Children's Books Ireland political briefing document, thanking her for including support for reading for joy in Labour's election manifesto.

Email (1)

On the 4th of November 2024, sent a follow-up email to Aine Doyle in relation to Children's Books Ireland political briefing document.

Informal communication (1)

On the 19th of November 2024 sent Sorca Clarke (SF) a text message detailing a positive response to SF's Education Manifesto, and offering support and guidance on implementation in relation to school libraries and reading for joy going forward.

Email (2-5)

On the 9th of December 2024, emailed Jack Chambers (FF), Paschal Donohoe (FG), Jennifer Carroll McNeill (FG) re including provision for reading for joy in government negotiations.

Email (6-10)

On the 10th of December 2024, emailed Darragh O'Brien (FF), Norma Foley (FF), Mary Butler (FF), James Lawless (FF), James Browne (FF), Ivana Bacik (LP), Marie Sherlock (LP), Martin Heydon (FG), John Cummins (FG), John Paul O'Shea (FG), Helen MacEntee (FG) re including provision for reading for joy in government negotiations.

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.

Richard Boyd Barrett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aine Doyle Special Adviser (Department of Education)

Malcolm Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Malcolm Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niamh Smyth TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Seery Kearney Senator (Seanad)

Aisling Dolan Senator (Seanad)

Simon Harris An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Marie Sherlock Senator (Seanad)

Marie Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jack Chambers TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Finance)

Paschal Donohoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Norma Foley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Butler TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ivana Bacik TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Heydon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Cummins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Paul O'Shea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Helen McEntee TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)