Marketing English in Ireland (English Education Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Marketing English in Ireland

Date published 22 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Reform of the Garda vetting system, in particular portability of vetting for host families accommodating international English language students, who are currently vetted separately for each school and organisation. EEI processed approximately 14,000 vetting applications in 2024 and 12,000 in 2025.

Intended results To secure reform of Garda vetting, including portability of vetting between organisations so that host families already vetted do not need to be re-vetted for each school, and to support Deputy Byrne's work on the issue with sector data.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Lorcan O'Connor Lloyd, CEO, English Education Ireland

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.

Virtual Meeting (1)

11 May 2026: Microsoft Teams meeting with Deputy Malcolm Byrne on Garda vetting reform and portability of vetting for host families, following EEI's letter supporting his public comments on delays in vetting reform. The meeting also gave a broader overview of the English Language Education sector.

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.

Malcolm Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)