CoAction West Cork (CoAction West Cork)

Lobbying Organisation CoAction West Cork

Date published 21 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Public Expenditure and Reform

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details 1. HSE budget cut 1.25% applied to CoAction West Cork CLG (CoAction) as per HSE Service Plan 2020. 2. Pay Restoration for Section 39 staff (Ref: Emergency Measures in Public Interests (FEMPI) legislation, Croke Park & Haddington Road Agreements.) 3. Funding for unmet and changing needs of people we support in CoAction as part of National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers National campaign.

Intended results Reversal of HSE budget cut applied to CoAction West Cork CLG. Pay Restoration for CoAction staff in line with other Section 39 agencies. A multi-annual planning process in order to fund the provision of supports to meet unmet and changing needs of people we support e.g. respite and residential services and supports, access to multi-disciplinary supports and transport.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tom Wilson, Chairperson

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Christy O'Sullivan (Former DPO) TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Prior to the General Election of 8th February 2020, CoAction members and families were asked to lobby canvassing election candidates on the issues of CoAction's budget cut, pay restoration for staff and planning and funding of unmet and changing needs.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (100+)

Letters to CoAction members and families outlining the subject matter, requesting support and attendance at a public meeting with local election candidates on 30th January 2020.

Letter (6-10)

Letter to local election candidates outlining the lobbying subject matter and inviting them to attend a public meeting on 30th January 2020.

Letter (2-5)

Letter to Cork Government Officials to request a meeting with representatives from CoAction's Board of Trustees & senior management to discuss lobbying subject matter.

Letter (2-5)

Letter to peripheral geographical area DPOs to raise their awareness of CoAction's lobbying subject matter.

Phone call (11-20)

Phone calls to follow up on letters sent to local election candidates and Cork Government DPOs

Email (11-20)

Follow up emails to letters sent to local election candidates and Cork Government DPOs.

Informal communication (1)

During the canvassing campaign a CoAction Board member spoke to a member of the canvassing team, requesting support in relation to the HSE budget cut.

Phone call (1)

Phone call from Councillor Christopher O'Sullivan to CoAction Board member following representations made during canvassing in relation to the HSE budget cut.

Meeting (1)

Meeting of CoAction Board members and senior management with Senator Tim Lombard prior to public meeting on 30th January 2020.

Meeting (1)

Public meeting with 2020 election candidates on 30th January 2020.

Letter (100+)

Follow up letters after the public meeting to members, families & election candidates.

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.

Holly Cairns TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Christopher O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Coleman Councillor (Cork County Council)

Paul Hayes Councillor (Cork County Council)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Simon Coveney Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Creed TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael J. McGrath Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)

Karen Coakley Councillor (Cork County Council)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Paul O'Shea Councillor (Cork County Council)