'Be wary of markets, boards and sharp elbows' Wheel conference told

Excellent speakers attended The Wheel’s conference during the summer, among them Martyn Evans, Mary Murphy and Brendan Halligan, REPORTS ALLEN MEAGHER.

Company boards were identified as the greatest barrier to advocacy work, co-operation is the way forward (no surprise) and we’ve to be wary of the market and “sharp-elbowed people”.

 Martyn Evans, CEO of the Carnegie UK Trust noted that the average life expectancy of Irish males had risen greatly in the past 100 years (from 53 to 79 years) and the current social system appeared to have served us well,

We're all healthier, wealthier, wiser, and certainly better educated. But income inequality in Ireland has changed very little, he noted. For example, 10% of children leave school unable to read.

While there have been massive improvements, they have been differentially distributed which is a sign of “system failure”.

One outcome, he said, was that less than 50% of people across Europe have trust in their governments, according to the OECD.

Fewer college drop-outs due to CDP

- Project impact on city outlined

Jennifer McMahon of UL officially launched Limerick City CDP's report

Limerick City Community Development Project (LCCDP) launched its annual report for 2012 in June and the report’s statistics underpin positive changes in people’s lives.

For instance, the project dispersed 166 bursaries* to third level students from Moyross, Southill, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary’s and St. Munchin’s.

“We know first hand, that due to delays with the (third level) grant system, the provision of funding by the CDP for registration, books and materials was vital for students to take up their places in third level,” said manager Juan Carlos Azzopardi.

The report was launched by the project’s new independent chairperson, Jennifer McMahon from UL.

Retrofit the country and we’ll save €3billion annually

- Tipperary communities have proven it can work (and creates work).
By Allan Stewart.*

The country pays out €6 billion annually for fossil fuel imports, yet communities in Co. Tipperary are uniquely demonstrating how we could halve that bill and create employment:

When active members of Drombane and Upperchurch in North Tipperary got together in 2011 to discuss economic solutions for their community, they considered many ideas - from wind farms to a local ski slope. After further meetings and talks with the Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA) and North Tipperary Leader Partnership (NTLP) they decided on a community retrofit scheme. This would convert many of the homes in the area to high energy performance homes that were warmer, save on household bills, while creating work in the locality.

COMPLETELY NEW TO THE IDEA

Community Insulation Team

A local 'Energy Team' was formed to co-ordinate a cluster of home-owners, apply for grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and select contractors for the work. Completely new to the idea, it took many meetings and support from the local development company, NTLP, to get up and running and to get enough locals interested.

And it’s worked!

Last year, 22 homes were upgraded and this year 35 more homes and two community halls will be retrofitted. Currently, the 400 households in Drombane and Upperchurch spend €1,000,000 on home energy and once the whole community is retrofitted, the energy team expects it will save householders a total of over €250,000 per year (25%).

Publication of Mid-Term Review imminent

It has been confirmed that a much-anticipated report on the Local and Community Development Programme will be published shortly.

Clodagh McDonnell, Principal Officer with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, stated:

“The Mid-Term Review of the Local and Community Development Programme has been finalised and its recommendations will be taken on board in shaping the new successor programme to the LCDP, subject to funding provision in the upcoming budget, and, mindful, as is usual, of the continuing need for budgetary restraint and discipline.

“The Mid-Term Review is currently in limited circulation among chief stakeholders, including those in the Community and Voluntary Sector. The intention is to publish it post-budget, after October 15^th,” she said.

Where do you read yours?

George Clancy reading Changing Ireland Issue 41 in Argentina.

We're looking for someone to beat international rugby referee George Clancy's impressive submission... Recently, we asked readers to send in snaps of themselves reading 'Changing Ireland' (print or online) in unusual places.

So far, we've seen 'Changing Ireland' being read in a stadium in San Juan, Argentina (George), in the Dail (Minister of State Jan O'Sullivan)  and at an awards ceremony in Cloughjordan, by President Higgins.

President Higgins holding the issue, and appearing in cartoon form on the front page. 

Whatever or where next??!! Email: editor@changingireland.ie

PS