Politician(s) lobbied: Seán Fleming (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: awareness raising
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
On Wednesday the 13th of January Tim Lombard
Method not specified
(Sophia Board Member) Michael McCarthy (Sophia Committee Member) and Tony O' Riordan (Sophia CEO) met Sean Fleming TD in his office in Leinster House. The purpose was to explain Sophia’s work in Laois and the impact of Development to provide 52 new homes. No ask was made of Deputy Fleming
Method not specified
it was only awareness raising.
Politician(s) lobbied: Kieran O'Donnell (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: The purpose of the invitation was to highlight Sophia's successful model of support for older persons in Cork Street to the Minister.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Method not specified
On November 12th
Method not specified
2025 an invitation was sent to the Minister for State with responsibility for Older Persons and Housing
Method not specified
to attend Sophia's residence at 25 Cork Street
Method not specified
Dublin 8.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ray McAdam (Councillor), Dublin City Council
Intent: The attendance of the Lord Mayor was expected to raise the profile of the Launch in terms of media visibility, and to showcase the findings of the Report which evidenced that Housing First models deliver substantial improvements in housing stability, safety, and overall well-being for individuals with long-term experiences of homelessness
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Method not specified
In November 2025
Method not specified
Sophia contacted the Lord Mayor of Dublin to attend and speak at the Launch of three year Research Findings by Sophia and its European Partners which explored the wider adaptation of an adapted Housing First model across the EU. The event was attended by a Deputy of the Lord Mayor.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: The intended result was to highlight the positive impact of Sophia's work in providing social and affordable housing, and housing with support services, and raise the public profile of the work being carried out by Sophia.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Method not specified
On September 19th
Method not specified
Tony O'Riordan contacted the Department of Housing
Method not specified
Local Government and Heritage and invited the Minister to attend and officiate official openings of Sophia projects and developments in Cill Bhríde (Tullamore
Method not specified
Co. Offaly)
Method not specified
Moate
Method not specified
Kilfinane (Co. Limerick)
Method not specified
and Athlone. The proposed dates for the openings ranged between December 31
Method not specified
2025 and January 31
Method not specified
2026. These projects were wholly or partly funded by the Department.
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
Details by Method
Method not specified
Unknown
Politician(s) lobbied: Dan Boyle (Councillor), Cork City Council; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: The Seminar focused on how the Housing First programme has been developed &adapted across Europe. Those participating in the Seminar had an opportunityto learn from new evidence insights on the Housing First model as well ascontributing their view on this key intervention to addressing homelessness.The Seminar included presentations from practitioners, state agencies,academics, leaders in the construction & homes industry.An objective of the Erasmus+ project is to publish a policy brief.
Methods: LetterPhone call
Details by Method
Method not specified
Official opening
Method not specified
26th March 2025
Method not specified
by the Lord Mayor of Cork
Method not specified
Councillor Dan Boyle of the Seminar ‘Adapting Housing First: Bridging Gaps
Method not specified
Meeting Needs’- an Erasmus+ project and collaboration between Sophia Housing
Method not specified
Y-Foundation Finland
Method not specified
Arrels Fundació
Method not specified
and Housing First Berlin (funded by Léargas). Billy Kelleher
Method not specified
MEP was also invited to officially open the seminar but was not available to attend.
Politician(s) lobbied: Máire Devine (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Awareness about the work of Sophia in Cork Street.The 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: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Meeting with Máire Devine TD with HSE officials
Method not specified
3rd March 2025
Method not specified
to view the old James Weir Home for Nurses building
Method not specified
Cork Street
Method not specified
Dublin 8.
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: Social MediaEmailLetter
Details by Method
Method not specified
25th November 2024. Official opening by Minister for Housing
Method not specified
Local Government and Heritage
Method not specified
Darragh O’Brien of the completion of the development of ten new homes in Sussex Street Dún Laoghaire - a collaboration between Sophia Housing
Method not specified
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Local Authority
Method not specified
Department of Housing and Housing Finance Agency.
