AONTAS

Lobbying Organisation AONTAS

Date published 21 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Meeting with the newly appointed CEO of SOLAS

Intended results Recognition for the value of community education for learners, and for the wider FET sector. Support for Learner Voice development throughout the wider FET sector.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dearbháil Lawless

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.

Email (2-5)

Emails to organise meeting with Deirdre McDonnell in advance of meeting on the 10th of April.

Meeting (1)

One meeting on the 10th of April to discuss the role of AONTAS, highlight the value of community education and explore the opportunities to develop Learner Voice throughout the wider FET sector.

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.

Deirdre McDonnell Chief Executive Officer (Solas)