Trinity College Dublin Students' Union

Lobbying Organisation Trinity College Dublin Students' Union

Date published 20 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Meeting between Minister James Lawless and TCD Student Officers

Intended results To lobby against student registration fee increase 1000 Raise awareness concerning an administration issue concerning a lack of flexibilkity in changing categorisation in applying for SUSI grants

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity TCD SU President (since resigned) Sean Thim O Leary, Education Officer, Buster Whaley, Welfare Officer Deirdre Leahy and Irish Language Officer Aoife Ni Bhriain

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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Active campaign among TCD Students to lobby their local TDs against the student reg fee increase

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

To lobby against student registration fee increase 1000

Email (1)

Raise awareness concerning an administration issue concerning a lack of flexibilkity in changing categorisation in applying for SUSI grants. Received a reply on 10.10.2025noting the SUSI grant scheme is governed by national legislation. Changes ca only happen through a formal review and decision making process

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.

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)