North Leinster Money Advice & Budgeting Service (North Leinster Money Advice & Budgeting Service)

Lobbying Organisation North Leinster Money Advice & Budgeting Service

Date published 16 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Finance

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details To discuss funding for the fit out of a new office to be leased for the North Leinster MABS and North Leinster CIS services in Mullingar, as the landlords of the current office has served notice and the services needed to vacate by 30th June 2025. The request for funding submitted to the Department of Social Protection by Citizens Information Board was refused.

Intended results To acquire funding for the fit out of a new office premises, availing for leasing in Mullingar (which had been identified) to ensure 2 vital state funded services in Mullingar Co Westmeath, were in a position to continue offering their services from the 1st July 2025, as they had to vacate their current premises on 30th June 2025.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Michael Laffey

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.

Event / Reception (1)

Robert Troy, Minister for State at the Department of Finance, attended an event on 20/02/2025 in Dublin, which was also attending by Michael Laffey and Michael took the opportunity to speak to Robert Troy, concerning the issue stated above (ie to secure funding for the fit out costs of a new premises (to be leased) for 2 public services in Mullingar).

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Graham Long (CEO of Citizens Information Board), at the CIB offices in Dublin on 21/02/2025, attended by Michael Laffey (Regional Manager) and Sarah Shakespeare (Chair) of North Leinster MABS, concerning the issue stated above (ie to secure funding for the fit out costs of a new premises (to be leased) for 2 public services in Mullingar).

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.

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Graham Long Acting Chief Executive Officer (Citizens Information Board)