ARI

Lobbying Organisation ARI

Date published 16 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Active Retirement Ireland's policy recommendations as included in the pre-budget submission to the Department of Social Protection. Policy recommendations pertain to pension reform, income supports, Treatment Benefit Scheme (specifically inclusion of hearing tests), as well as whole of government strategies for positive aging, combatting ageism and the establishment of an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People.

Intended results Consideration of/ action around policy recommendations raised to better support older people in Ireland.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Saskia Tigchelaar

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 (6-10)

Active Retirement Ireland's Pre-Budget 2026 Submission to the Department of Social Protection was sent by email to the Department, to relevant government ministers and to opposition spokespeople.

Event / Reception (1)

Active Retirement Ireland Policy and Programmes Manager Alison Bough attended the Department of Social Protection Pre-Budget Forum to further support and discuss Active Retirement Ireland's submitted policy recommendations.

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.

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State (Department of Health)

Lauren Tuite Councillor (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)

Hazel Chu Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mairéad Farrell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ivana Bacik TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mark Wall TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marie Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)