EPIC Empowering People in Care

Lobbying Organisation EPIC Empowering People in Care

Date published 20 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Budget 2022; lobbied to secure increased funding for children in care and aftercare within the Budget 2022, as well as raise awareness around policy and legislative shortfalls.

Intended results Increased funding for children in care and those in aftercare with a specific focus on investment in independent advocacy, and the number of social workers as well as increased data collecting. Establishment of a National Support Service for Parents of Children in Care Improved educational supports and guidance Mental Health investment, with a particular focus on children in care and with care experience. Increased support for Unaccompanied Minors/Separated Children Seeking Asylum Strengthened funding for foster care Balancing investment in Tusla managed residential settings

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Marissa Ryan, CEO, EPIC Empowering People in Care.

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

Email All Oireachtas Members Only Oireachtas members who have spoken or shown interest in: childrens rights, children in care, social welfare related issues, assylum related issues, disability, housing and social care related issues.

Email All Senators Only Senators who have spoken or shown interest in: childrens rights, children in care, social welfare related issues, assylum related issues, disability, housing and social care related issues.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Budget related issues as stated above for children in care. Specifically: i. Data collecting and sharing across all areas of care ii. Increasing the number of social workers iii. Investment in independent advocacy iv. Establishment of a National Support Service for Parents of Children in Care v. Improved educational supports and guidance vi. Mental Health investment vii. Extension of Aftercare Services viii. Support for Unaccompanied Minors/Separated Children Seeking Asylum ix. Strengthened funding for foster care x. Balancing investment in Tusla managed residential care settings

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.

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Anne Rabbitte Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Mary Butler Minister of State (Department of Health)