Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI)

Lobbying Organisation Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI)

Date published 18 Jan, 2016

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Sep, 2015 to 31 Dec, 2015

Specific Details In December 2015, as part of the ASTI’s General Election lobby campaign the union contacted political parties in relation to a number of specific issues of concern to teachers and asked the parties for their positions on these issues. The outcome of these communications was later published on the ASTI website and in its members' magazine.

Intended results To highlight to political parties the key issues for second-level teachers in the run up to GE 2016 and secure committments that these issues will be addressed To provide information to teachers on parties' positions on key issues for second-level teachers

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Gemma Tuffy, Communications Officer

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.

Email (6-10)

Parties received emails asking for the following information: Why should teachers vote for your party? If elected to Government, how would your party support new/ young teachers affected by casualization and low pay? The moratorium on appointments to posts of responsibility in schools is having a significant negative impact on teacher/ principal workload, student pastoral care services, and the ability of schools to fulfil administrative and legislative requirements. Will your party lift the moratorium and allow these posts to be filled?

Phone call (6-10)

Follow up phone calls to political parties were made

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.

Ruth Coppinger TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jonathan O'Brien TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jan O'Sullivan Minister (Department of Education and Skills)