Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

Lobbying Organisation Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

Date published 17 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details INOU participated in the Pre-budget Forum organised by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection which included two breakout sessions focusing on ‘Supporting Sustainable Employment and Pathways to Work’; and ‘Supporting the most vulnerable through additional supports'.

Intended results To engage with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to secure better outcomes for unemployed people and others of working age from Budget 2020. In particular to have social welfare rates increased, to have other supports and employment services improved so that they meet people's needs and support the realisation of their ambitions.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Bríd O'Brien, INOU Head of Policy and Media; Robbert Lynch, INOU Welfare to Work Section Manager

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)

Prior to the Forum the INOU sent its Pre-Budget Submission to the DEASP calling on the Government to: benchmark all Social Welfare rates at a level which is sufficient to lift people above the poverty line and provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living; introduce a work-friendly Social Welfare system reflective of changing work practices, based on hours rather than days worked; open up access to employment programmes for unemployed people signing on for credits; increase the top-up payment on employment programmes by €7.50 to better support participation costs; plan for the full impact of Brexit on the labour market and ensure unemployed people and vulnerable workers gain access to decent employment; acknowledge the cost of participation in education and training and support adult learners to meet these costs; and resource the development and maintenance of independent community based organisations and 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.

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)

Finian McGrath Minister of State (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)