Irish Hairdressers Federation

Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown

Intent: Unknown

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown

Intent: Unknown

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Finance; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: To influence TDs to support inclusion of these measures in Budget 2026 and to raise political awareness of the challenges facing the hairdressing sector at constituency level.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: To influence Government decisions in Budget 2026 to adopt these measures, ensuring the survival of salons, protection of over 30,000 jobs, and prevention of further growth in the shadow economy.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Ultan Courtney (Chairman), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: To provide input into the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations to the Minister regarding the appropriate level and structure of the 2026 National Minimum Wage and the Living Wage, with a focus on the challenges facing SMEs.

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Damien English (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance; Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Finance; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Finance; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Finance; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Intent: The IHF seeks to secure government action on the issues raised, including the introduction of tax relief measures, wage reform, and increased representation of SME employers in policy discussions affecting small businesses.

Methods: Lobby day

Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: outlined critical measures necessary to sustain our industry:The restoration of the 9% VAT rate.Greater engagement with business owners to ensure the introduction and implementation of a living wage that is sustainable for businesses.Extend the repayment terms for warehoused debt and apply 0% interest for any legacy debt owed to Revenue.Provide more targeted grants and supports for salons concerning high energy costs and rates.Reduce employer PRSI contributions for employees in salons.

Methods: MeetingSocial MediaSubmission

Politician(s) lobbied: Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Simon Harris (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Leo Varadkar (An Tánaiste), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Leo Varadkar (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Stephen Donnelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Damien English (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Damien English (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Moloney (Secretary General), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Róisín Shortall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alan Kelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Callinan (Secretary General), Department of the Taoiseach; John Hogan (Secretary General), Department of Finance; Micheál Martin (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Eamon Ryan (Minister), Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Finance; Simon Coveney (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Catherine Martin (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Heather Humphreys (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Peter Burke (Minister of State), Department of the Taoiseach; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Joe O'Brien (Minister of State), Department of Social Protection; Dara Calleary (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: Raising awareness of our industry's challenges at local level ensures that the government understands the widespread impact on businesses nationwide.

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Leo Varadkar (Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Intent: for the 9% vat rate to be reintroduced and made permanent for the hairdressing industry for the warehoused debt repayments to be extended to up to 10 yearsfor easier access to energy supports & wage supportsfor enhanced supports for training & hiring of traineesto address and tackle the shadow economy in collaboration with revenue, simplying the reporting process.

Methods: EmailSocial Media

Politician(s) lobbied: Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Finance; Simon Harris (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science; Leo Varadkar (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: reintroduction of the 9% VAT rate for the Hairdressing Industry

Methods: Submission