Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 20 Sep, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May, 2023 to 31 Aug, 2023

Specific Details Conversation with Deputy Funchion while at an event in Mountjoy Prison about a range of IPRT’s priority policy issues

Intended results Make the Deputy aware of the complexity of parole reform in meeting the rights of victims and offenders, to bring to her attention the range of issues facing children of prisoners and suggested solutions for addressing these.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Pamela Drumgoole, IPRT Policy and Research Coordinator

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.

Event / Reception (1)

On 29 June, IPRT’s Policy and Research Coordinator attended a participatory theatre event on the grounds of Mountjoy Prisons, hosted by Senator Lynn Ruane and the Governor. During the event, networking discussions with Deputy Funchion included: recent parole reform and the need for further reform; early intervention options in youth justice; and the lack of national support services for children of people in prison.

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.

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)