Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Launching and introducing the HPV Alliance Network to Minister Carroll MacNeill, and requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss HPV vaccination and awareness, and continued funding.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
The letter was sent to Minister Carroll MacNeill by Cara Martin (HPV Alliance) on Friday 27 February.There was general acknowledgement of receipt given, no further response. 221+ is a member of the Alliance which is why we are noting this in our submission.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Noonan (Senator), Seanad; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Neale Richmond (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Senator), Seanad; Grace Boland (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Manus Boyle (Senator), Seanad; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; Shane Moynihan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pauline Tully (Senator), Seanad; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Heydon (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Albert Dolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alan Kelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Ardagh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Funding for mid-2026 onwards that enables business as usual and an extension of support to other women with cervical cancer beyond the original 221+ cohorts.
Methods: SubmissionLetterEmail
Details by Method
Submission
Business Case proposing the extension of support to more women and the cost for this submitted via email to the Minister for Health. Sent 19th September 2025.
Letter
Follow up letter sent on 17th November 2025 to ask for an update or response to the proposed Business Case, and to note that another member of the public (not an original member) contacted 221+ asking for support, to prove the ongoing need to extend support.
Email
The 221+ Business Case was also sent to members of the Oireachtas we had previous contact with / who had attended the 2025 briefing we held in the AV Room (reported in earlier lobbying submission). Conversation with TD Joe Cooney had around meeting but finally no meeting took place.
Politician(s) lobbied: Catherine Ardagh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad; Alan Kelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Albert Dolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pauline Tully (Senator), Seanad; Shane Moynihan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; Manus Boyle (Senator), Seanad; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Grace Boland (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Senator), Seanad; Neale Richmond (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Noonan (Senator), Seanad; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Michael Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Butler (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Cummins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jack Chambers (Minister of State), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Donna McGettigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Timmy Dooley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louis O'Hara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Canney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ciarán Ahern (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; William Aird (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Continued funding for 221+, Commitment & funding to extend services of 221+ to all women let down by the CervicalCheck screening programme, implement the AHR Act and push through Amendments bill, exclude 221+ member court payments from means testing, support gynaecological health, Implement Patient Voice Partner Policy, implement the 2018 Lymphoedema model of care, continued investment in Elimination of Cervical Cancer, Ringfenced funding for women’s health. Event sponsored by Marie Sherlock TD.
Methods: EmailInformal communicationEvent / Reception
Details by Method
Email
221+ Patient Representative Coimhe O-Neill-Forde emailed the following to invite them to the briefing with some replying that they plan to attend:Joe CooneyPeter RocheAlbert DolanCathal CroweDonna McGettiganTimmy DooleyLouis O HaraSean Canney
Email
221+ Patient Representative Lyn Fenton emailed the following inviting them to attend the briefing: Norma Foley minister for children 10/06/25Michael Cahill TD 10/06/25Michael Healy Rae 10/06/25
Email
221+ Patient Representative Una Kealy invited by email Mary Butler, John Cummins and David Cullinane.
Informal communication
221+ Patient Representative Una Kealy spoke to David Cullinane informally post briefing event on seeing him pass by about some of the issues 221+ had just presented.
Email
221+ Staff invited Oireachtas members who had attended previous similar sessions/we were in contact with by email: Ciarán Ahern, William Aird, Ivana Bacik, Catherine Ardagh, Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Malcolm Byrne, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, David CullinaneThose who attended were also sent a follow up email by 221+ staff, the following said they will raise the issues / consider our pre-budget submission: Senator Noonan, Senator Ní Chuilinn, Mr. Jack Chambers TD
Event / Reception
Update briefing in A/V Room , Leinster House, open to all Oireachtas members.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Continued funding for 221+ and extending our ability to support more women.
Methods: LetterMeeting
Details by Method
Letter
221+ wrote to the Minister on 10th June 2025 to request a meeting. Following on from this meeting, there was further correspondence (10th June confirming meeting, 1st July from 221+, 11th July from the Minister, 7th August from 221+) around how we can progress discussion on both of the key points raised. 221+ agreed to submit a business case outlining what extending support to more women would look like in terms of services and budget.
Meeting
Met the Minister for Health on 18th June 2025, to discuss the continued funding of 221+ for our core operations and membership in addition to our ambitions to provide support to more women who need it. Present at the meeting from 221+ team were: Patient Representatives Una Kealy, Grainne Culliton, Lyn Fenton and Caoimhe O-Neill-Forde, 221+ Manager Ceara Martyn and Communications Consultant Padraig McKeon.
Politician(s) lobbied: Aidan Farrelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Public system of early childhood education. 221+ is involved as a member of the NWCI-led 'Together for Public' campaign, in acknowledgement of the difficulties unsuitable childcare places on families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting hosted by Social Democrats spokesperson Aidan Farrelly TD in Leinster House at 11am on 23rd July 2025, to discuss his “PáisteCare” idea.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Public system of early childhood education
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting with Mark Wall TD on 30th April 2025 with other representatives of member organisations of the National Women's Council Ireland's Together for Public alliance members.
Politician(s) lobbied: Heather Humphreys (Minister), Department of Social Protection; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Letter to dept of social protection to ask that funds received by 221+ members in court proceedings not be counted in assessment for means tested payments. Subsequent communications clarified what this department has responsibility for.
Methods: EmailLetter
Details by Method
Email
Clarification on this issue, and which payments the department of social protection is responsible for
Letter
Letter sent on 31st October 2024 from 221+ to Minister Heather Humphreys at Department of Social Protection (with Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly cc'ed on the email with the letter attached) to ask that funds received by 221+ members in court proceedings not be counted in assessment for means tested payments.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Seery Kearney (Senator), Seanad
Intent: Possible amendments regarding surrogacy to the AHR Act (Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 (Act 18 of 2024)Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 (Bill 29 of 2022)
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting with Mary Seery-Kearney on 9th September 2024 at Leinster House to discuss future amendments to the AHR Act. Ceara Martyn (221+ manager) and Caoimhe O-Neill-Forde (221+ Patient Representative) were present.
Politician(s) lobbied: Duncan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gino Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Violet Anne Wynne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Verona Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marian Harkin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Browne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dolan (Senator), Seanad; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peadar Tóibín (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Róisín Shortall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Support for funding 221+ in future, the implementation of the Patient Voice Partner Policy, greater accessibility of lymphoedema treatments/gynaecological physiotherapy/complex menopause hubs, reducing colposcopy waiting times, asked Oireachtas members to bridge gap in support for those undergoing personal cervical screening reviews and gynaecological cancer patients more generally, progression of Assisted Human Reproduction Bill (now Act) and more attention to women's health management.
Methods: EmailEvent / ReceptionMeeting
Details by Method
Email
221+ Member and Patient Representative Lyn Fenton emailed (on 2 occasions May 29th 2024 & June 12th 2024) the Taoiseach's Office to remind of the invite to the 221+ Oireachtas briefing on June 18th.
Event / Reception
221+ Member and Patient Representative Lyn Fenton met Taoiseach Simon Harris at an event on May 25th in Killorglin, Kerry and mentioned the planned 221+ Oireachtas briefing on June 18th. The Taoiseach (or a representative) was invited to attend the Oireachtas briefing.
Meeting
Meeting with David Cullinane at 3pm in Buswells Hotel on June 18th to discuss the above.
Meeting
Meeting with Róisín Shorthall at 11.30am in Agriculture Building on June 18th to discuss the above.
Meeting
Oireachtas members named in part 5 attended (or a rep*, &except RShorthall & DCullinane) a meeting in the AV Room at Leinster House on 18 June, at 4pm.(*Luke Silke on behalf of Peadar ToibinSinead Burke obo Mary Lou McDonaldRonan Herlihy obo Marian Harkin)Lobbying on our behalf - Duncan Smith sent Oireachtas members invitation to briefing Luke Silke on behalf of Peadar Toibin - submitted questions to Dept of Health Michael Healy Rae put forward Dail question to the Minister for Health
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Whitmore (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Seery Kearney (Senator), Seanad; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: Requested update / information on the status of the bill and a draft where available. Inclusion of single women / people unable to provide gametes (in our members' cases due to cancer treatment) in surrogacy legislation
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Email June 6thLetter sent to the Taoiseach on the 28/05 forwarded by that office to the Minister for HealthLetter requested that the AHR bill be prioritised for progression as it had been stalled for months.
Email
Email on June 12th: Relating to the AHR bill – continuing request for her support on progressing this bill. And to ensure that those without a genetic link are also treated fairly by the legislation.Email on 26th June: Request for this to be reflected in the AHR amendments bill also – specifically care to be given to ensure that women and children are not made more vulnerable by the provision in the bill requiring the father to give permission for parentage to be granted.
Email
To Jennifer Whitmore TD on this issue - Requested update / information on the status of the bill and a draft where available.
