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Lobbying Records (Page 1 of 2)
2025-01-20
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Ciara Shaughnessy (Special Adviser), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Cormac Devlin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Lorraine Hall (Councillor), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Justin Moylan (Councillor), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Catherine Keenan (Director of Services or Equivalent), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Jim O'Leary (Councillor), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Frank Curran (Chief Executive Officer), Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Intent: Highlighting collaboration and acknowledging the work between Sophia, the Department of Housing, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Housing Finance Agency in creating solutions for homelessness.Advancing broader goals in housing solutions and public policy for formerly homeless individuals.
Methods: Letter, Email, Social Media
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | 25th November 2024. Official opening by Minister for Housing |
| — | Local Government and Heritage |
| — | Darragh O’Brien of the completion of the development of ten new homes in Sussex Street Dún Laoghaire - a collaboration between Sophia Housing |
| — | Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Local Authority |
| — | Department of Housing and Housing Finance Agency. |
2024-09-06
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: That the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage reimburse Sophia for this expenditure.
Methods: Letter
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | The Chairperson of Sophia |
| — | Mr Michael McCarthy submitted a letter to the Minister for Housing |
| — | Local Government and Heritage |
| — | Darragh O’Brien requesting a drawdown of the balance of funds relating to the CAS funded development at Clonamore House |
| — | Tullamore |
| — | Co. Offaly. The construction works commenced on 29th August 2022 and were substantially completed on 19th May 2023 and Sophia needed to pay the remaining balance of funds owed to the construction company. |
2024-05-17
Politician(s) lobbied: Máire Devine (Councillor), Dublin City Council
Intent: Awareness about the work of Sophia Housing in Cork Street and desire of Sophia to acquire more homes for people who need them. Support to meet the housing needs for those who are homeless in Dublin 8.
Methods: Meeting
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | Meeting with Councillor Máire Devine |
| — | Sinn Féin in Sophia Housing 23rd February 2024 to discuss housing projects in the Dublin 8 area |
2024-05-17
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Seán Fleming (Minister of State), Department of Foreign Affairs; Paschal McEvoy (Councillor), Laois County Council; Caroline Dwane Stanley (Councillor), Laois County Council; John Mulholland (CEO), Laois County Council
Intent: Mark the first day of construction for building 52 homes in Portlaoise.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | Official Sod Turning on 25th April 2024 on construction of 52 homes in Portlaoise. In attendance were Minister for Housing |
| — | Local Government and Heritage is Darragh O'Brien |
| — | TD. |
| — | Minister of State Seán Fleming |
| — | TD. |
| — | Pascal McEvoy and Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley |
2024-05-17
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Liam Burke (Director of Services or Equivalent), Fingal County Council; Ciara Shaughnessy (Special Adviser), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: It consisted of a seminar and presentation outlining how the Governments Policy could be developed and adapted.
Methods: Letter, Event / Reception
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | Presentation to the Minister for Housing |
| — | Local Government and Heritage |
| — | Darragh O'Brien |
| — | TD |
| — | at a seminar on 14th February 2024 in Sophia Housing |
| — | Sean McDermott Street on the Sophia approach to the Irish Government Policy (known as Housing First) on addressing homelessness. |
2024-05-17
Politician(s) lobbied: Caroline Dwane Stanley (Councillor), Laois County Council; Catherine Fitzgerald (Councillor), Laois County Council; Paschal McEvoy (Councillor), Laois County Council; John Mulholland (CEO), Laois County Council
Intent: Formal signing of Contract of Works for the building of 52 homes by Sophia Housing in Portlaoise.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | Contract signing in the Chamber of Laois County Council 8th March 2024 - attended by Cathaoirleach Pascal McEvoy |
| — | Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald and Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley |
2023-11-23
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Eddie Fitzpatrick (Councillor), Offaly County Council
Intent: Raising awareness of the new service with the Minister.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | 7th July 2023 - Minister Darragh O'Brien and Cathaoirleach Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick (Offaly County Council) visited and viewed a new regional emergency service |
2023-11-23
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: To inform Minister/Dept on Religious Congregations offering buildings for social housing often free or below market value. Emphasising potential for extra contributions and the social/environmental benefits of repurposing centrally located town structures. Urging efficient conversion of institutionally used buildings into residential units for housing list applicants, citing recent exemptions for vacant commercial properties to expedite the process, aiming to minimise costs and planning delays
Methods: Meeting
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | 1st March 2023 - Continuing the Social Justice Work of Sophia Housing with Religious Congregations in providing buildings and lands for new homes and the funding in place for current projects |
| — | and what is in the pipeline/feasability |
2022-05-13
Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Make the Minister aware of the increased support need to help those experience homelessness in the Midlands, of the collaborative work and savings attained by Sophia and Midlands Simon Community working together and to make the Minister aware of the need for increased funding to provide support services to those experiencing homelessness in the Midlands.
Methods: Virtual Meeting
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | The Chair person of Sophia |
| — | along with the Chair of Midlands Simon Community met with Peter Burke to highlight the need for increased funding for services to support those experiencing homelessness across the Midlands. |
2022-05-13
Politician(s) lobbied: Leo Varadkar (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Mary Hayes (Director of Services or Equivalent), Dublin City Council
Intent: We hoped that our staff (including nurses, project workers, care workers, cleaners, catering, and other auxiliary staff) who worked with residents, clients and services users on a face-toface basis during the pandemic should have their contributions recognised for inclusion in this Covid Recognition Payment Scheme
Methods: Letter
Details & Methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| — | Sophia as part of the Homeless Network submitted a letter to a number of ministers drawing their attention to the role of front line staff in homeless services during the pandemic and that they should be included in the covid recognition payment. |