Technological Universities Association (TUA)

Lobbying Organisation Technological Universities Association

Date published 21 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details Funding for higher education: the case to increase the overall funding per student for higher education institutions, address the funding deficit of the previous ten years and put in place a sustainable funding model, such as those proposed in the Cassells report.

Intended results Increased funding for higher education, sustainable funding model for higher education.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr Joseph Ryan, Róisín O'Connell

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

Mass communications

Social Media All TDs Campaign run across social media platforms to encourage electorate to ask their electoral candidate how they would increase funding for higher education. #FundHigherEd

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

Event hosted by TCD, run by THEA, IUA, RIA, USI with members of public invited to attend. Party spokespeople invited to participate in order to outline their plans for higher education funding after the next election

Letter (1)

Letters written to education spokespeople inviting them to meet with THEA, IUA, USI to address funding concerns for higher education

Meeting (1)

Meeting secured with Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor to discuss funding concerns for higher education and the requirement to increase funding as part of a sustainable funding initiative

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.

Mary Mitchell O’Connor Minister of State (Department of Education and Skills)

Joe McHugh Minister (Department of Education and Skills)

Thomas Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ivana Bacik Senator (Seanad)

Neasa Hourigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Richard Boyd Barrett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)