This blog includes news from 2009-2017 on Community Development in Ireland.
For up-to-date news and a FULL ARCHIVE OF MAGAZINES from 2001 to today, see: www.changingireland.ie
Established in 2001, Changing Ireland is an independent, community-based magazine focused on community development and social inclusion.
Our magazine is published and managed by the not-for-profit organisation Changing Ireland Community Media CLG.
The following are links to 30 or so online news reports, academic articles and Government papers. Along with our own sources and a review or Oireachtas debates, they helped inform 'Changing Ireland's reportage on local government reform and the debate around 'alignment':
- Talks continue over small but
significant detail of reform plans
Allen Meagher reports:
Talks are continuing between Government officials
and representatives from the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) the
representative body for the country’s Local Development Companies (LDCs).
There are a number of useful websites worth
recommending to anyone interested in the Community and Voluntary Sector in
Ireland and in Community Development.
Communities on Ireland's offshore islands got a boost in recent days with the new Gaeltacht Minister Dinny McGinley assuring islanders the Government would continue to support their development.
He was speaking at the Cómdháil Oileáin na hÉireann (Federation of Irish Islands) agm, held on Clare Island. The Irish Times reported: "Noting that access and infrastructural issues had been addressed, he said the next focus for sustainable development was the creation of enterprise and employment."
Photo by A Meagher: Clare Island as seen from the Newport-Mulranny side.
"He conceded that while islands had benefited from the fruits of the Celtic Tiger, there was no longer funding available for major expansion. However, the maintenance of such services as childcare, healthcare and waste management would be continued."
Approx. 2,944 islanders live on our offshore islands.
CWC FUNDING
Meanwhile, the Community Workers Co-op has suffered a blow with news that funding it receives under the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community & Voluntary Sector will not be continued.
The CWC can appeal the decision and met last Friday to consider options.
The strike involving community workers at Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) has been resolved, according to a report today from the Community Worker's Co-op and confirmed by SIPTU.
All local work under the Local and Community Development Programme - among other work carried out by the not-for-profit company - had come to a halt as ten workers went on strike after four of them were issued with redundancy notices.
The workers were supported by their union SIPTU which argued that the redundancies were not required and that alternative solutions to cost saving at the company can be achieved.
MFG Teo is based in Connemara and provides vital services to the most vulnerable communities in the area.
You can watch a video interview - prior to the Labour Court announcement - with one of the striking workers here.
