Age Action (Age Action)

Lobbying Organisation Age Action

Date published 21 Sep, 2017

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 May, 2017 to 31 Aug, 2017

Specific Details Increased income supports for older people

Intended results An increase in the State Pension An increase in the Living Alone Allowance Linking the State Pension to 35 per cent of average earnings. Ensure the final 15 per cent of the Christmas Bonus is restored as a double-week payment for Christmas 2018 for all social welfare recipients. Restore the Bereavement Grant. Begin to reverse the six weeks cut from the Fuel Allowance by extending the scheme by four weeks in Budget 2018. Increase the funding for the Free Travel Scheme by €3 million to make it more attractive for operators to join and to ensure that it continues to address passenger needs.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Justin Moran

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 (11-20)

Copy of the Age Action pre budget submission emailed to members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection on 27 July and also furnished to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection to discuss the State Pension on 4 May.

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.

Maria Bailey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Brady TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Carey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joan Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Curran TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gino Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie O'Dea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Ardagh Senator (Seanad)

Ray Butler Senator (Seanad)

Alice-Mary Higgins Senator (Seanad)

Kevin Humphreys Senator (Seanad)

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)