Womens Community Proejcts (Mullingar) Association CLG

Lobbying Organisation Womens Community Proejcts (Mullingar) Association CLG

Date published 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details National Community Education Campaign 2025 (AONTAS). Entitled “Community Education: Local, Lifelong, Life Changing Campaign”, from 22nd-28th Sept 25, with a day of visibility on 23rd. Subsequent meeting with Aontas, Minister Harkin and Community Education Network (CEN) members, held in WCP Mullingar, 15.12.25. A visit, tour of the centre and unrelated book launch (‘Storytelling Through Years Gone By’–(funded by Solas/ALL) were also planned and conducted when the visitor was attending.

Intended results To highlight the importance/impact of community education across the Country and illustrate how investing in community means investing in people. Specifically, highlighting critical issues that CEN members are facing, around funding and recognition for the sector across the island of Ireland. Highlighting the Budget 26 submission by AONTAS, advocating for an overall increase of 12% in the Further Education & Training budget for 26, with ringfenced funding for community education.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Paula O’ Connor (Project Coordinator, WCP Mullingar)– who is a member on the AONTAS - Community Education Network (CEN), representing Women’s Community Projects Mullingar (WCP Mullingar).

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? In line with the national campaign, WCP Mullingar wrote to all Longford/Westmeath County Councillors, TD's and three Ministers; similarly, we held a day of visibility on Tuesday 23rd Sept and posted content on social media. The director given was to promote and support the value of community education and the sectors need for sustainable/increased funding.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (21-30)

To bring the campaign to the attention of County Councillors and TD's for Longford & Westmeath, and relevant Ministers; and seeking their support for the sector, funding etc.

Meeting (1)

Following initial campaign, Minister Marian Harkin requested a meeting with AONTAS and CEN members, which was held in WCP Mullingar on 15.12.25.

Social Media (1)

Day of visibility post to highlight the campaign, a group of learners, staff and board members were included. and the following tagged: AONTAS, Department of Children, Disability & Equality, UCD, UCD Social Work and Social Justice, UCD Gender studies, Women's Collective Ireland - Mullingar.

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.

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Carrighy Senator (Seanad)

Kevin Boxer Moran TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aoife Davitt Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Alfie Devine Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

John Dolan Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Michael Dollard Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Ken Glynn Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Frankie Keena Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Denis Leonard Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Emily Wallace Councillor (Westmeath County Council)

Niall Gannon Councillor (Longford County Council)

Padraig McNamara Councillor (Longford County Council)

Peggy Nolan Councillor (Longford County Council)

Pat O’Toole Councillor (Longford County Council)

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

Marian Harkin Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Sorca Clarke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)