Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Society of St. Vincent de Paul)

Lobbying Organisation Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Engagement with Ministers and Senior Officials to ensure sufficient supports are provided to households assisted by SVP impacted financially or otherwise by the Covid-19 crisis, including an increase in the Fuel Allowance, a top-up payment for low income families, a discretionary utility debt fund, extra supports for learning loss among disadvantaged children, increased funding to support access to digital devices at primary and secondary level and the provision of free mobile data

Intended results That low income households and children and families living in poverty are protected from the negative financial impacts of the pandemic through adequate incomes supports and protections of households at risk of utility and rent arrears.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tricia Keilthy

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 (1)

Letter to Minister for Social Protection requesting that additional income supports are put in place for low income households impacted by the Pandemic. Letter sent by email on the 11th of January 2021.

Letter (1)

Letter to the Minister for Education asking for additional supports for digital devices, a coordinated plan and supports for children experiencing homelessness, education disadvantage and those at risk of early school leaving due to school closures. Letter sent by email on the 11th of January 2021.

Letter (1)

Letter to the Minister for Communications asking for additional support for online access during school closures, including free mobile data allowances for low income families. Letter sent by email on the 11th of January 2021.

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.

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)