Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

Lobbying Organisation Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

Date published 20 Sep, 2017

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2017 to 31 Aug, 2017

Specific Details INOU participated in the Pre-budget Forum organised by the Department of Social Protection.

Intended results To engage with the Department of Social Protection to secure better outcomes for unemployed people and others of working age from Budget 2018. In particular to have social welfare rates increased, to have other supports and employment services improved so that they meet people's needs and support the realisation of their ambitions.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity John Stewart, INOU Coordinator; Bríd O'Brien, INOU Head of Policy and Media

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.

Meeting (2-5)

Prior to the Forum the INOU sent its Pre-Budget submission into the Department of Social Protection which included calls on the Government to reinstate welfare payments to 2009 rates and abolish the age segregation introduced to Jobseekers Allowance in that Budget; to provide unemployed people and others of working age with properly resourced and supportive employment services, good education and training opportunities so they can access to a decent job; and to re-invest in community based organisations to support their work with people who are distant from the labour market. At the Forum the INOU participated in the plenary and the workshop focusing on 'employment services, activation adn social protection for workers'.

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.

Finan McGrath Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Social Protection)

John McKeon Assistant Secretary (Department of Social Protection)