Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
849. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding any direct lobbying he has received from any NGO in relation to his Department's annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/26]
View answerUnder the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, Ministers are Designated Public Officials.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, provides that people who are lobbying must register with the Standards in Public Office Commission and provide information about their lobbying activities. This information is then published on: www.lobbying.ie
The Department of Social Protection hosts an annual pre-Budget Forum where some 60 NGOs, and other representative organisations are invited.
This forum offers a unique opportunity for NGOs, trade union and business representatives to submit make pre-Budget submissions, discuss policy issues and present their priorities for the upcoming Budget.
Similarly the Department hosts an annual Carers Forum and an annual Social Inclusion Forum, usually in the May to June period each year, where people who rely on social protection supports, together with their representative organisations, have an opportunity to present evidence from their lived experience and propose changes that they would wish to see implemented in the range of Government supports on which they depend.
Details in respect of each of these fora are available on gov.ie.
In addition, the Department meets regularly with advocacy groups as part of its day to day service provision and regularly has public consultations on policy matters, which may include submissions from NGOS in relation to public funding.
I trust the clarifies the matter.
