Social Care Association of Ireland (Social care Ireland- SCI)

Lobbying Organisation Social Care Association of Ireland

Date published 29 Apr, 2021

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Advocating for supplementary payment for social care students, due to COVID 19 restrictions could not complete placements, some students will have too complete placements hours during the summer months.

Intended results Raise awareness around the challenges for students that have to take the summer off to complete practice placements

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Helena Doody director on the board of Social Care Ireland and member of the Education Advisory Group within SCI

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.

Letter (2-5)

1. Many students will have to complete their placement hours over the summer months, thereby extending their academic year. We would advocate for this being supported in some way, specifically for students who are accessing SUSI grants and who may now be disadvantaged as a result of this particular situation. In addition, many students rely on the summertime employment to fund their studies. 2. We have had communication with a number of social care agencies who have committed to supporting our students to return to placement. However, some are requesting that students do not engage in other work during their completion of placement, due to concerns regarding cross-contamination. These concerns are entirely valid, and we appreciate and value the commitment that agencies demonstrate towards our students, however this is additionally disadvantaging our students who rely on part-time work to fund their studies. 3. Students with children may face additional childcare costs during the summe

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.

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

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)