Politician(s) lobbied: Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To ensure the experiences and priorities of FET learners inform relevant policy discussions and decision-making, and to raise awareness of the key findings and recommendations emerging from the National FET Learner Forum.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
On the 21st of July AONTAS contacted the Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to request an opportunity to present the findings and recommendations of the National FET Learner Forum, with the aim of bringing learner experiences and priorities directly to the Committee’s attention.
Politician(s) lobbied: Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Deirdre McDonnell (Chief Executive Officer), Solas; Maria Walshe (Acting Executive Director), Solas; James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Fiona O’Byrne (Assistant Secretary), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Social Protection; Jack Chambers (Minister of State), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Marian Harkin (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Harry McCann (Special Adviser), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Donna McGettigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor D McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoghan Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jen Cummins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoin Hayes (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard Boyd Barrett (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gary Gannon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Frank Feighan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maeve O'Connell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pauline Tully (Senator), Seanad; Mike Kennelly (Senator), Seanad; Paul Daly (Senator), Seanad; Dee Ryan (Senator), Seanad
Intent: AONTAS aims to influence Budget 2027 by securing greater investment in Further Education and Training, particularly adult and community education. Our intended impact is sustainable funding, improved learner financial and disability supports, and more inclusive access to education, ensuring those facing the greatest barriers can participate and benefit from learning.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
On the 9th of July AONTAS emailed Ministers, relevant public body DPOs, elected JC FHERIS members and political party spokespeople with our Pre-Budget 2027 Submission. The communication highlighted our priorities for investment in FET, adult and community education and learner supports, seeking support for their inclusion in Budget 2027 and related policy and funding decisions.
Politician(s) lobbied: Harry McCann (Special Adviser), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: To influence the review of financial supports for learners by highlighting barriers to participation and advocating for more accessible, adequate and equitable financial supports across Further Education and Training (FET).
Methods: MeetingEmail
Details by Method
Meeting
One meeting took place with the Minister’s Special Adviser on 17th of June to discuss the review of financial supports for learners and AONTAS’ position on improving the accessibility, adequacy and equity of learner supports. Date: Wednesday June 17th Time: 1:30pmLocation: Peaches Brasserie, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Email
Two emails sent in preparation for the meeting with the Minister’s Special Adviser, covering the sharing of briefing materials and logistical arrangements for the meeting.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Harry McCann (Special Adviser), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: To secure Ministerial support for AONTAS’ Pre-Budget 2027 recommendations and influence Budget 2027 decisions regarding investment in FET, adult and community education, and learner supports.
Methods: MeetingEmail
Details by Method
Meeting
AONTAS met with Minister Lawless on the 8th of July to present and discuss our Pre-Budget 2027 Submission, highlighting key recommendations for increased investment in Further Education and Training (FET), adult and community education, and improved financial and disability supports for learners. Date: Wednesday, 8 July 2026Time: 5:15pmLocation: St Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace
Email
Correspondence with the Minister’s office to share AONTAS’ position and key Pre-Budget 2027 recommendations, and to make arrangements for a meeting with the Minister to discuss these priorities in more detail.
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: To build support among elected representatives for AONTAS' Budget 2027 recommendations by encouraging members to contact their local TDs and ETB board councillors and highlight the importance of investment in adult, community and further education.
Methods: Unknown
Details by Method
Method not specified
Member engagement in AONTAS's Pre-budget 2027 advocacy
Politician(s) lobbied: John Callinan (Secretary General), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: Recognition of the potential for community education to address the objectives of the Shared Island fund in order to secure support for organisations on both side of the border
Methods: LetterEmail
Details by Method
Letter
One letter outlining the current situation with regard to funding cuts in Northern Ireland, and a request for a meeting to discuss Shared Island action.
Email
Request for a meeting to discuss matters relating to cross border collaboration for community education given the impact of the loss of Local Growth Funding on the sector in Northern Ireland.
Politician(s) lobbied: Deirdre McDonnell (Chief Executive Officer), Solas
Intent: Recognition for the value of community education for learners, and for the wider FET sector. ::Support for Learner Voice development throughout the wider FET sector.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Email
Emails to organise meeting with Deirdre McDonnell in advance of meeting on the 10th of April.
Meeting
One meeting on the 10th of April to discuss the role of AONTAS, highlight the value of community education and explore the opportunities to develop Learner Voice throughout the wider FET sector.
Politician(s) lobbied: 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
Intent: Recognition for the role of community education as a key policy lever for priorities relating to lifelong learning and skills.::Sustainable funding for the sector in recognition of its contribution to policy goals
Methods: EmailEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Email
Invitation to attend the Annual Star Awards on the 6th of March sent to the Minister for FHERIS and the Minister of State for FHERIS. Sent on February the 10th.
Event / Reception
Minister Harkin attended the Star Awards on the 6th of March, and gave an address to the attendees.
Politician(s) lobbied: Marian Harkin (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Visit to Cranmore Community Cooperative, Sligo::Sustainable Funding for Community Education.::Improvements to validation processes that support the engagement of small providers
Methods: EmailEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Email
Emails between the 3rd and the 5th of February to organise visit and share briefing materials on the impact of funding precarity of the sector and proposed solutions, as well amendments to validation processes
Event / Reception
Minister Harkin attended Cranmore Cooperative on Monday the 9th of February to attend a launch of a community resource and visit the community education centre to meet learners and staff.
Politician(s) lobbied: Lynn Boylan (MEP), European Parliament; Regina Doherty (MEP), European Parliament; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (MEP), European Parliament; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Kathleen Funchion (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kathleen Funchion (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: 1. Strengthen adult learning and citizenship objectives within Erasmus+ 2. Maintain and enhance support for civil society organisations as democratic actors 3. Ensure the MFF is adequate in real terms to meet Europe’s social and educational ambitions
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Wrote to Irish MEPS to seek support for the revised Erasmus+ Programme within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 highlighting the importance of this programme to adult learning and citizenship objectives, and the importance of support for civil society organisations as democratic actors.
