Politician(s) lobbied: Hildegarde Naughton (Minister), Department of Education
Intent: That the Minister could advise her department to support the translation of school material to the Irish language.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Meet with Minister for Education to get Agri-Kids farm safety school programme and other farm safety initiatives translated to the Irish Language to improve outreach
Politician(s) lobbied: Regina Doherty (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Lynn Boylan (MEP), European Parliament; Barry Andrews (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: Raise current challenges faced by rural communities and civil society organisations in rural areas with MEPs and make them aware of these.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Irish Rural Link was part of a Civil Society delegation to EU to meet with MEPs and other EU Institutes.
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Transport; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Anne Shaw (Chief Executive Officer), National Transport Authority
Intent: That the Ministers, NTA and Bus Eireann will review the needs of the community and consider the re-instatement of a regular bus service connecting the village to nearby towns.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Method not specified
Sent letter of Support to Minister for Transport
Method not specified
NTA and Bus Eireann and well as Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister of State for Rural Transport calling for the re-instatement of a bus service in a small rural village where older people and people with a disability are reliant on taxis make medical appointments and other appointments
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Martin (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Social Protection; Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Intent: Ministers would invite new CEO to a meeting to discuss challenges and proposed solutions for rural areas.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Method not specified
Email to Taoiseach
Method not specified
Tánaiste and other Ministers on the appointment of new CEO of Irish Rural Link and request a meeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: The Minister would consider the proposal and include in Budget 2027 estimates as well as providing immediate supports to providers to help cover rising fuel costs.
Methods: Virtual Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Meeting with Minister for Older people Kieran O'Donnell to discuss the fuel crisis and impact rising fuel prices are having on Meals on Wheels services. A proposal was made on how to support meals on wheels service providers could become more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: That the Network and Meals on Wheels providers would receive their 2026 funding in a timely manner and that consideration will be given to the extra cost of running the service.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Meeting with Minister for Older People Kieran O'Donnell to discuss funding for 2026 for the National Meals on Wheels Network and Meals on Wheels services across the country
Politician(s) lobbied: Hildegarde Naughton (Minister), Department of Education
Intent: Support within the Dept. of Education to promote the programme within their channels and comms to primary schools. ::Also to discuss any budget that may be made available to support the delivery of the programme
Methods: Phone callEmail
Details by Method
Method not specified
Request to meet Minister for Education to outline AgriKids educational programme
Politician(s) lobbied: Michael Healy-Rae (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Intent: Promote the programme availability and encourage schools to sign up
Methods: Phone callEmail
Details by Method
Method not specified
Email to Minister Healy Rae to attend the launch of the AgriKids Farm Safety Programme in Killarney
Politician(s) lobbied: Richard O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Deputy O'Donohue meet with meals on wheels providers and highlight challenges and issues facing both the Network and the sector in the Dáil.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Attendance of Deputy O'Donohue at the National Meals on Wheels 10th Anniversary Conference
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: Thank the Minister and strengthen engagement with him on this matter
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Method not specified
Thank the Minister of State for Older People for opening the National Meals on Wheels Network 10th Anniversary Conference and speaking with providers on the day
