Mary Immaculate College Students' Union

Lobbying Organisation Mary Immaculate College Students' Union

Date published 20 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Raised a number of issuess / concerns which are impacting 3rd level students

Intended results Update on what the impact of easing COVID restirctions would be for 3rd level campuses Agreement to waive the Gaeltacht fees for the mandatory Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht’ for post primary teaching students. This fee has already been waived for primary teacing students Information on how the funding allocated to 3rd level institutions for mental health supports and initiatives was to be spent and if the fund could accessed by the SU for SU run mental health initiatives View of the Minister on security of funding for SUs.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Róisín Burke

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.

Virtual Meeting (1)

Teams meeting held with Minister Harris on 09.09.2021 which discussed the following issues: • Easing of restrictions after 22nd October 2021 and the impact on 3rd level. • Waiving of Gaeltacht Fees for the mandatory ‘Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht’ for post primary students - copy of email correspondence attached. • SUSI Grant Scheme • Recording of online lectures and ensuring accessibility for all students • Provision of student accommodation and protections for student tenants • Student Supports & Mental Health • Reduction of student contribution charge and consideration for security of funding for Students’ Union from Institutions • Urgent need for approval of funding for new MIC library

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.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)