Irish Episcopal Conference

Lobbying Organisation Irish Episcopal Conference

Date published 20 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details Issues pertinent to Catholic Education.

Intended results To discuss with the Department of Education and Skills' officials issues pertinent to Catholic Education.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Fr Paul Connell, Executive Secretary, Council forEducation of the Irish Episcopal Conference.

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.

Meeting (1)

Meeting on 7 January 2020 in DES offices, Athlone, Co Westmeath. Representing patrons in the Catholic sector in the company of patrons/Trustees at a meeting for patrons and management representatives regarding the upcoming Admissions Bill regulations with Ms Deirdre Shanley (Assistant Secretary) and officials.

Phone call (1)

Telephone call on 24 January 2020 with Ms Deirdre Shanley (Assistant Secretary) regarding the upcoming Admissions Bill regulations.

Meeting (1)

Meeting regarding the upcoming Admissions Bill regulations with Ms Deirdre Shanley (Assistant Secretary) and officials on 29 January 2020.

Phone call (1)

Telephone call on 3 February 2020 to Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General, Department of Rural Development regarding the rural broadband scheme as it affects Catholic School patrons.

Letter (1)

Letter, dated 18 February 2020, to Ms Deirdre Shanley, Assistant Secretary, Department of Education and Skills regarding resourcing for patrons for work on Admissions Policies.

Email (1)

Email on 2 March 2020, to Mr Hubert Loftus, Assistant Secretary, Department of Education and Skills regarding leases on Department of Education and Skills' sites.

Phone call (1)

Telephone call on 4 March 2020 to Mr Hubert Loftus , Assistant Secretary, Department of Education and Skills regarding leases on Department of Education and Skills' sites.

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.

Hubert Loftus Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)

Deirdre Shanley Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)

Kevin McCarthy Secretary General (Department of Rural and Community Development)