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OFF AIR: How deep does abuse run in the Irish entertainment industry?
Ireland
Sexual assault allegations made against Russell Brand are the latest in a long string of cases concerning high-profile UK celebrities. But do we have issues closer to home?
8 Backers raised €505 of €7320
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Open
IN THE DOCK: Why are unauthorised developments on the Shannon going unchallenged?
Shannon River
There are dozens of unauthorised developments on the River Shannon and its lakes, including full blown commercial developments that lack proper planning permission.
0 Backers raised €0 of €4420
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Open
WILD NOT FREE: Is inaction on wildlife crime further threatening vulnerable species?
Ireland
Illegal hunting, poisoning and destruction of habitat: The future of Ireland’s wild animals and plants are at risk. Already, more than one in five protected species are threatened with extinction.
2 Backers raised €55 of €2630
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Open
KICKED OUT: How easy is it for landlords to evict tenants under false pretences?
Ireland
Irish renters are being illegally evicted by landlords who say they’re selling up, only to increase the rent and relist the property.
9 Backers raised €365 of €2435
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Funded
WATER WORKS: Is discharge from Ireland’s largest water treatment plant wrecking the Liffey?
Kildare
Our biggest drinking water treatment plant discharges wastewater into the Liffey at a point in Kildare where locals say flow is not strong enough to dilute the nutrient-dense material.
5 Backers raised €3770 of €3770
 Funded 
Open
LOOT LEGACY: Are Ireland’s museums hoarding historically stolen goods?
Ireland
Ireland has a number of artefacts in its museum collections which were unquestionably looted, often by Irish soldiers in British colonial service.
3 Backers raised €90 of €3965
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Open
UNTRAINED EYE: Are councils wasting money on substandard training?
Ireland
State funding is dished out every year for training to help unemployed people upskill or start their own business. But is this up to standard?
0 Backers raised €0 of €2630
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Open
BREATHING UNEASY: How exposed are children to pollution on the school run?
Dublin
Cars idling at school gates, heavy emissions from traffic at peak times: children in urban areas are facing toxic fumes as they make their way to school.
16 Backers raised €435 of €1440
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Open
ALL BARK: Is the workplace watchdog failing workers in high-risk industries?
Ireland
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is tasked with uncovering employee rights violations but is not currently protecting all workers.
4 Backers raised €155 of €4200
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Open
PLAN BEE: Are we letting the native Irish honey bee die out?
Ireland
Ireland is one of the last countries in Europe to have a significant population of pure native honey bees - but it is at risk of extinction because of the importation of foreign bees.
13 Backers raised €420 of €1980
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Open
CAUTION TO THE WIND: Is renewable infrastructure on peatlands causing more harm than good?
Ireland
Wind energy is Ireland’s main renewable source but the location of farms on peatlands - a key carbon sink - is causing concern among scientists and nature groups.
22 Backers raised €1260 of €3785
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Open
CLIFF EDGE: Why are parking prices at the Cliffs of Moher so steep?
Clare
With over a million visitors a year, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s busiest tourist attractions. But parking at the site has been contentious for decades.
4 Backers raised €60 of €1750
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Open
DIGGING DEEP: Is Ireland being carved up for mineral exploration?
Ireland
Around 20% of the island of Ireland is licensed for mineral exploration, raising alarm with local communities about the impact of new mining operations.
8 Backers raised €175 of €3190
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Open
COST OF COLLECTION: Why do domestic waste services cost more in some areas of Ireland than others?
Ireland
Unlike many EU countries, Ireland’s waste disposal system is private.
2 Backers raised €40 of €2215
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Open
LINE OF FIRE: Why is burning in the uplands going unpunished?
Ireland
Burning vegetation during the bird-nesting season is not permitted, yet, every year between March and August, fires started illegally cause widespread damage.
46 Backers raised €1490 of €3970
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Open
RESIDENTS AT RISK: Are profits being prioritised over people at disability residential centres?
Ireland
There was a “notable deterioration” in management and governance at centres for disabled people, according to a 2022 Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report.
2 Backers raised €125 of €3280
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Completed
ISLAND NATION: Is enough being done to tackle depopulation of Ireland’s islands?
Ireland
Population decline on the Irish islands was an ever-present threat for island dwellers following the Famine of the 1840s, and is on the cards again with worrying declines in recent years.
0 Backers raised €0 of €0
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Open
GIVE WHEY: Are Irish dairy exports hurting African farming communities?
International
Milk powder made from whey, a byproduct of the dairy industry, is flooding African markets and taking the place of locally produced milk.
32 Backers raised €1073 of €3355
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Open
RECOVERY FILES: Are billions from Brussels being misspent?
International
At over €700 billion, the Covid recovery fund is the largest pot of money the EU has ever set up - but insufficient transparency and gaps in oversight were reported even before a penny was spent.
1 Backer raised €25 of €3020
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Open
OVER THE THRESHOLD: Are people paying unaffordable levels of rent in Ireland?
Ireland
Rent in Ireland is increasing while supply is at its lowest level in decades.
4 Backers raised €65 of €1840
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Open
BACKYARD BURN: Are authorities failing to crack down on private waste burning?
Ireland
It is illegal to burn waste in your garden as it releases harmful chemicals into the air we breathe, contaminates surrounding vegetation and can cause uncontrolled fires.
6 Backers raised €145 of €1930
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Open
ASBOS ON TRIAL: Are Anti-Social Behaviour Orders being used fairly and effectively?
National
Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been used in Ireland for over 15 years but how they are applied and how effective they are is under scrutiny.
1 Backer raised €15 of €2730
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Open
AGAINST THE GRAIN: How reliant are Irish livestock farms on imported feed?
Ireland
Despite our pasture-based grass fed livestock system, Ireland still faces a problem feeding its farmed animals. Millions of tonnes of feed is imported every year for cattle, while the demand from poultry and pig farms - with large indoor shed units - is on the rise.
34 Backers raised €1185 of €1740
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Open
POLICY PATCHWORK: Do schools have adequate policies to support transgender students?
Ireland
Responsibility for drafting policies for transgender students in school falls to individual boards of management with no centralised State guidelines, meaning that Ireland is a patchwork of policies.
9 Backers raised €250 of €1990
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Completed
SHALL NOT PASS: Is the State supporting hydropower at the expense of the natural world?
Ireland
The diversion of water to hydropower stations, often combined with problematic or non-existing fish passes, can have considerable impacts on important fish populations, such as salmon.
59 Backers raised €2755 of €2730
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Open
PAY IN PERSPECTIVE: Are wages at State bodies in line with public sector standards?
Ireland
Though most State-owned companies reported reduced profits in recent years as the country emerged from the pandemic, some - such as ESB Networks - have nevertheless remained highly profitable.
1 Backer raised €10 of €1340
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Open
DOUBLE DIGITS: Which politicians are getting multiple pensions?
Ireland
Politicians have some of the highest pension pots in Ireland, with many on the upper rungs of the Oireachtas ladder getting two generous State pensions.
7 Backers raised €200 of €1730
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Open
NOT UNIFORM: Which schools still have gender-based dress codes?
Ireland
Schools across Ireland have strict uniform dress codes that often cause discomfort for boys and girls up and down the country.
9 Backers raised €160 of €1900
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Completed
WITH GREAT POWER: Why is a Wexford power plant causing concern?
South East
An independent report alleges there was a ‘major issue’ with water quality monitoring near the Great Island Power Station operated by SSE.
1 Backer raised €500 of €500
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Open
BORN TO BE WILD: Who is profiting from the unregulated exotic animal trade?
International
In Ireland, you need a licence to own a dog or television but not to own an exotic animal such as a tiger or python. This lack of regulation has allowed this trade to flourish unabated, with potential serious impacts on the health and welfare of the animals sold.
6 Backers raised €115 of €2400
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Open
OVERSEAS IMPACT: Are Irish companies profiting at the expense of locals and ecosystems?
International
Environmental and human rights groups are concerned that direct and indirect actions of Irish companies abroad are impacting ecosystems and indigenous communities that depend on them.
15 Backers raised €350 of €3675
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Open
BALANCING THE BOOKS: Are publishers profiting from new school book editions?
Ireland
Despite the Government’s plan to introduce free school books for primary school pupils from September 2023, they continue to be one of the most costly expenses for parents of secondary school students.
11 Backers raised €185 of €1730
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Open
LIFE AND DEATH: Are lives at risk from ambulance delays?
Regional
Long response times and delays at emergency departments are ongoing issues with the ambulance service, with the longest delays occurring in rural Ireland.
3 Backers raised €35 of €2780
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Open
PIPE DREAM: Are delays in water infrastructure upgrades holding up rural development?
Ireland
It is government policy to encourage development of rural towns and villages due to the environmental, climate and social benefits including people living close to services, reducing car dependency and strengthening local communities.
15 Backers raised €440 of €2200
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Open
EYES ON THE ROAD: What data is being collected on drivers and vehicles?
Ireland
Over the past decade, an increasing amount of CCTV cameras, number plate recognition technology and traffic management tools are utilised by public authorities in Ireland.
3 Backers raised €50 of €2330
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Open
JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS: Are sports capital grants fairly distributed?
Ireland
There are concerns over the geographic breakdown of sports grants as well as lack of grant funding for certain sports types.
1 Backer raised €20 of €2210
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Completed
FREE DATA: Is the journey data of free travel pass holders being retained?
Ireland
Alleged excessive data gathering by the Department of Social Protection is being examined by the Data Protection Commission (DPC).
0 Backers raised €0 of €0
 Read Now 
Open
PRICE OF KNOWLEDGE: Are rising costs a barrier to third-level education?
Ireland
Ireland has the highest third-level fees in the EU, with students also burdened with increasingly higher accommodation costs.
2 Backers raised €30 of €2530
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Open
PROLONGING GRIEF: Is the coroner process of investigating tragic deaths failing families?
Ireland
Over 20 years ago, radical reform and major reconfiguration of the coroner service was recommended, yet a recent report stated that most of these reforms remain incomplete.
6 Backers raised €160 of €2930
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Completed
PEOPLE POWER: Is Ireland playing its part in overseas election observation?
Ireland
An average of almost 60 election observers were deployed from Ireland annually between 2013 and 2019, nominated from an overseas election roster. However, during the pandemic this work was suspended with Ireland not nominating observers for 18 months.
15 Backers raised €1940 of €1940
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Open
NO ROOM: How difficult is it for disabled people to secure a home in Ireland?
Ireland
There is a crisis within a crisis for disabled people who are left homeless or in unsuitable accommodation and the proportion of those with a disability need on the housing list is rising year-on-year.
20 Backers raised €645 of €3275
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Open
COURSE OF INACTION: Is animal welfare protected in the coursing industry?
Ireland
The hare is protected under national and EU law. Yet, 60,000 hares were legally captured between 2009 and 2021 for use in the coursing industry where they are chased by trained greyhounds.
82 Backers raised €1930 of €3850
 Learn More 
Open
RACK AND RUIN: Why are our protected buildings falling into disrepair?
Ireland
Ireland is home to a wide variety of buildings protected due to their architectural, historical, archaeological and cultural importance.
13 Backers raised €370 of €2880
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Open
THE UNPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: Are we taking women’s health seriously in Ireland?
Ireland
Women’s health in Ireland has been historically under-resourced. This has led to demand far outstripping supply and gynaecological services unable to adequately treat patients.
17 Backers raised €420 of €2970
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Open
HIGH RISE: Are councils accounting for the impact of sea level rise in planning decisions?
Ireland
As climate change takes hold in Ireland, storms, sea-level rise and acidification will become more intense, with coastal flooding and erosion further impacting our coastline.
7 Backers raised €480 of €3890
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Open
BREAK-IN: Are we doing enough to protect communities from crime in rural Ireland?
Ireland
Rural crime has been an issue for many years, with serious and sometimes violent incidents leaving people to question if older people living in remote areas are protected by authorities.
0 Backers raised €0 of €3520
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Completed
HANDS ON DECK: Are migrant workers being exploited in the Irish fishing industry?
Ireland
Extremely long working hours with few breaks and very low wages are among the poor conditions that face migrant workers in the Irish fishing fleet.
5 Backers raised €200 of €200
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Completed
DELAYED DELIVERY: Is the rollout of Progressing Disability Services leaving children and teens in limbo?
Ireland
The provision of services for children and teenagers with a developmental delay or disability has historically been a patchy affair in Ireland.
23 Backers raised €580 of €580
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Open
OFF LEASH: How can we bring loose dogs under control?
Ireland
While dog ownership has exploded since the pandemic, with an estimated 800,000 pet dogs now in Ireland, there are also calls for increased control of dogs.
12 Backers raised €335 of €2340
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Open
SPECIALIST CARE: Are we looking after our intern doctors and specialist trainees?
Ireland
During their years of training, doctors often work excessive hours and experience poor work environments in the Irish healthcare system.
40 Backers raised €1115 of €2430
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Open
CLASSROOM TO IMPROVE: Why are our children still educated in prefabs?
Ireland
Most students who have come through the Irish primary and secondary school system over the past number of decades will almost certainly have experienced classes in prefabricated buildings.
4 Backers raised €55 of €2035
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Completed
STATE OF EMERGENCY: Why is overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick still so acute - and what does that mean for patients?
Limerick
Over the past five years, University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland, with the most people waiting for a free bed year-on-year.
3 Backers raised €60 of €60
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Open
NO KIDDING: Are au pairs being exploited by Irish households?
Ireland
Au pairs working for Irish families are at risk of labour exploitation. Irish law does not even have a clear definition for private minders in family homes, leaving many young people who come to Ireland vulnerable.
0 Backers raised €0 of €2800
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Completed
WATCHING THE WATCHDOG: How is GSOC dealing with the public’s complaints?
Ireland
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has the power to independently investigate gardaí but since its establishment in 2007, issues have been raised in relation to whistleblowers, resources and handling of cases.
5 Backers raised €2540 of €2540
 Read Now 
Open
SQUARE OFF: Is violent crime in Eyre Square out of control?
Galway
Eyre Square, the famous Galway landmark, has recently been described as a ‘no-go area’ after dark. This follows a spate of incidents of anti-social behaviour, including serious assaults.
0 Backers raised €0 of €1660
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Open
ECONOMY CLASS: Why do schools still rely on parents to pay for essentials?
Ireland
Children in Ireland are entitled to free education yet schools continue to rely on parents to help pay for essentials such as heating, lighting, insurance and classroom equipment. This is due to the ongoing funding gap between running costs and State grants.
6 Backers raised €65 of €2770
 Learn More 
Open
PUSHING PILLS: Is there an overprescription problem in our nursing homes?
Ireland
The inappropriate prescribing of drugs to residents of nursing homes is a global problem and Ireland is no different.
20 Backers raised €500 of €3770
 Learn More 
Open
SOIL INVADERS: Are invasive plants spreading out of control in Ireland?
Ireland
Invasive alien species represent one of the main threats to biodiversity and related ecosystem services - especially on islands, according to the European Commission.
25 Backers raised €487 of €2940
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Completed
OVER THE HILL: Can overgrazing on Ireland’s vulnerable habitats be stopped?
Ireland
Intensive grazing and overgrazing is impacting almost 40% of all EU protected habitats in Ireland and is by far the most prevalent agricultural pressure in these areas.
32 Backers raised €1660 of €1660
 Read Now 
Open
BOTTOMLESS PIT: Why are some quarries operating outside planning laws?
Ireland
There are a spate of rules and regulations in place to ensure that quarries operate within the bounds of national and European law.
19 Backers raised €700 of €4290
 Learn More 
Open
VANISHING PAST: Are Ireland's historic sites at risk of disappearing?
Ireland
Despite Ireland being famous across the world for its ancient sites and historic buildings, some are at risk of being wiped from the map.
10 Backers raised €346 of €3420
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Completed
BEATHA TEANGA: An bhfuil coinníollacha pleanála agus deonuithe á chur i bhfeidhm chun cinntiú go bhfásann ceantracha Gaeltachta?
Ireland
Tá líon na ndaoine a labhrann Gaeilge i gceantracha Gaeltachta ag titm, le níos lú ná aon cheathrú de mhuintir na háite ag labhairt Gaeilge go laethúil, dar leis an daonáireamh deirneach.
0 Backers raised €0 of €0
 Read Now 
Completed
LIGHTS OUT: Why are we facing an Irish electricity crisis?
Ireland
As we face the climate crisis, a key strand of the State’s strategy to reduce our emissions is to electrify our energy, heat and transport systems using renewables such as wind and solar.
302 Backers raised €3125 of €2830
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Open
FAST FASHION: Are we doing enough to tackle fashion’s throwaway culture in Ireland?
Ireland
Lower prices and greater availability of clothes has led to the low-use throwaway culture dubbed fast fashion.
12 Backers raised €280 of €3140
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Completed
IN THE WEEDS: How toxic is our use of weedkillers at home and by public authorities?
Ireland
There is ample scientific evidence that herbicides used to kill weeds can cause long-term damage to pollinator insects. There are now emerging links to impacts on human health.
84 Backers raised €2420 of €2420
 Read Now 
Open
UP MANURE CREEK: Why is traditional slurry spreading happening when it’s bad for human health?
Ireland
Slurry is one of the most popular fertilisers on farms as the manure and water mix offers a cheap boost of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to boost grass and crop growth.
25 Backers raised €745 of €2310
 Learn More 
Open
FAILURE TO PROTECT: Are children being left in the hands of sexual abusers?
Ireland
Most cases of child sexual violence in Ireland are perpetrated by a family member. Yet, only 4% of cases reported to gardaí are prosecuted.
11 Backers raised €400 of €3820
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Open
UP IN SMOKE: What role does domestic wood burning play in Ireland’s air pollution problems?
Ireland
Each year, 1,300 people die prematurely due to air pollution from solid fuel burning, including wood. The practice has come under the spotlight for its role in poor air quality in our towns and villages.
9 Backers raised €265 of €2340
 Learn More 
Open
REHAB WAIT: Why are people waiting up to two years for a drug detox bed?
Dublin
A rising demand for drug treatment is recognised in the current Government drug strategy, yet thousands continue to wait for months, and sometimes years, to be admitted to a detox bed.
9 Backers raised €480 of €2230
 Learn More 
Open
KIDS IN CARE: Are children falling through the cracks of the care system?
Ireland
Almost 6,000 children are currently living in care in Ireland, with nearly 90% of those in foster care. As of January 2023, only 84% of children in care had an allocated social worker; 873 children did not have this support.
7 Backers raised €150 of €2330
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Completed
BREAKING THE BANKS: Are Irish riverside habitats under threat from over-maintenance?
Ireland
Clearing of vegetation from waterways is a regular occurrence across the country as part of the mandated maintenance of over 11,500km of channels and 800km of embankments.
82 Backers raised €3130 of €3100
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Open
NEXT OF KIN: Is the State failing to support older people providing full time care for their grandkids?
Ireland
Under Irish law, grandparents may foster their grandkids where parents are unable to provide an appropriate level of care.
3 Backers raised €100 of €3490
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Completed
ACROSS THE BOARD: Are rural grants being distributed equally under the LEADER scheme?
Ireland
Since 2014, €220 million worth of rural projects have been funded through the LEADER programme which are administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs).
19 Backers raised €3124 of €3120
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Open
SOAKED UP: Are lax rules on water abstraction affecting our local water supplies?
Ireland
Water is taken from our rivers, lakes and groundwater in large volumes by the private sector, including water bottling companies and agri-food companies, and recreational businesses such as golf clubs.
31 Backers raised €1008 of €2640
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Open
LOST FOR WORDS: Why does Ireland not have any quality standards for vital service interpreters?
Dublin
Those who need the services of a language interpreter in Ireland may find their voices unheard, as a number of reports in recent years highlighted the ‘uneven quality’ of this service and lack of training standards.
8 Backers raised €170 of €2630
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Completed
SYSTEM OVERLOAD: The public health system was creaking before the pandemic - has Covid-19 broken it?
Ireland
At the start of 2021, Ireland had a backlog of thousands of positive Covid-19 tests awaiting validation.
52 Backers raised €1840 of €1840
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Completed
TRADE OFF: Are we turning a blind eye to animal welfare concerns in the live export trade?
Ireland
The live export trade has grown substantially in recent years as incomes dwindle in the domestic market, with the Minister for Agriculture recently calling the trade “a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry”.
50 Backers raised €2100 of €2100
 Read Now 
Open
GOING TO BED HUNGRY: Is the State tackling food poverty?
Ireland
People go to bed hungry in Ireland every day with almost one in ten households here experiencing food poverty - being unable to get healthy affordable food.
24 Backers raised €581 of €1950
 Learn More 
Completed
STOLEN WHEELS: How can we stop rampant bike theft in this country?
Ireland
Over 14 bikes are stolen every day in Ireland with the pandemic leading to not just a surge in cycling but also bike theft.
57 Backers raised €1640 of €1640
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Completed
TOUGH START: Is the opportunity gap for Traveller children ever going to close?
Ireland
Children in the Irish Traveller community are at a disadvantage from the moment they are born. Infant mortality is over three times higher, suicide is six to seven times higher and life expectancy is over a decade lower than the general population.
69 Backers raised €2130 of €2130
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Completed
FACTORY FARM: Are we prioritising profits over animal welfare and human health?
Ireland
The traditional image of the small Irish family farm is slowly slipping away with many farms growing more industrialised in response to ambitious production targets set by the State.
87 Backers raised €2730 of €2720
 Read Now 
Open
POSTCARDS OFFER: Give the gift of investigative journalism
Ireland
Have you enjoyed our award-winning reporting? This is your chance to share the gift of investigative journalism - and receive a set of limited edition Noteworthy postcards.
20 Backers raised €543 of €5000
 Learn More 
Completed
PITCH IMPERFECT: Are astroturf pitches bad for our green spaces?
Ireland
Concerns have been raised internationally over the potential environmental impacts from small microplastic fibres used as infill on artificial sports pitches - with estimates of between 60 and 120 tonnes of the material required for one pitch alone.
9 Backers raised €220 of €220
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Completed
TROUBLED WATERS: Are salmon fish farms harming our marine ecosystem?
Ireland
The fish farming industry is in a phase of rapid growth; it overtook global beef production in 2012.
43 Backers raised €2400 of €2400
 Read Now 
Completed
ENDANGERED SPECIES: Can Ireland halt the decline of its precious biodiversity?
Ireland
Ireland’s biodiversity is under threat. According to a 2019 report, 85% of our EU protected habitats are in an “unfavourable” condition and 46% are showing ongoing decline.
59 Backers raised €1800 of €1800
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Completed
REVOLVING DOOR: What influence do former politicians have in Leinster House?
National
In recent years, several former ministers and other politicians have also ended up working as lobbyists across a range of business interests.
57 Backers raised €1605 of €1605
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Completed
HOLY LAND: How much money are religious orders pocketing from lucrative property sales?
Ireland
Properties worth millions - and offered by religious congregations for redress in institutional child abuse cases - have yet to be handed over to fulfil that promise.
43 Backers raised €1640 of €1640
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Open
RED FLAG: Is swimming off Ireland's coast under threat from pollution?
Ireland
While almost 80% of our bathing water was classed as excellent in 2022, a wave of swimming bans have hit beaches across the country in recent years due to water quality issues linked to pollution problems and our changing climate.
65 Backers raised €1690 of €2600
 Learn More 
Completed
SILENT TREATMENT: Are people with eating disorders being failed by the public health system?
Ireland
The HSE is currently implementing a national clinical programme for eating disorders but there have been significant issues with its roll-out, with just a small fraction of money allocated to improve supports and treatment actually spent on this since 2018.
34 Backers raised €1065 of €1065
 Read Now 
Completed
PEAT'S SAKE: Why have authorities failed to tackle unlicensed industrial peat extraction?
Ireland
Protection of our peatlands has been described by experts as the low hanging fruit in tackling the dual climate and biodiversity crises.
76 Backers raised €2530 of €2530
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Completed
BIRTH PLACE: Why does the Irish health service offer so little choice for expectant mothers?
Ireland
The National Maternity Strategy states that “there is a lack of choice for expectant mothers”. It proposed a model of care that “represents a fundamental overhaul of services” which are currently “largely consultant-led and hospital-based”.
57 Backers raised €2030 of €2030
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Completed
CASH COW: Are subsidies encouraging unsustainable farming practices?
Ireland
The farm has a big role to play in the fight against climate change, yet experts argue that it is difficult to shift to a nature-friendly model while subsidies favour intensive production.
48 Backers raised €1150 of €1150
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Completed
WASTE AWAY: Where do soft plastics in our recycling bin end up?
Ireland
Soft plastics can now be placed in Irish recycling bins following a change in policy in September 2021. But how much of this actually ends up being recycled on our island?
54 Backers raised €1180 of €1180
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Completed
SHEAR FORCE: Why are hedgerows still being cut during the prohibited season?
Ireland
Every summer, social media streams are inundated with photos of roadside hedges decimated across the country even though it is illegal to cut them from 1 March to 31 August.
54 Backers raised €1655 of €1630
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Completed
RACISM AT WORK: Is ethnic discrimination placing barriers before people in the workplace?
Ireland
Ireland’s population has diversified over the past decade, with 82% of the population identifying as white Irish in the 2016 Census, compared to 94% in 2011.
24 Backers raised €517 of €517
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Completed
REAPING THE HARVEST: Have years of neglect left horticulture at a pandemic-provoked tipping point?
Ireland
In March, at the height of the coronavirus crisis, the European Commission issued guidelines that seasonal agricultural workers be treated as frontline workers in order to save fruit and veg harvests.
25 Backers raised €1700 of €1700
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Completed
CHILDCARE CROSSROADS: How do we construct a childcare system in post-pandemic Ireland that works for everyone?
Ireland
Childcare provision was one of the sectors almost immediately thrown into crisis by the Covid outbreak - but its challenges have been apparent for some years now.
30 Backers raised €615 of €615
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Completed
TRAPPED WITH TORMENTORS: How can we protect people from abuse and violence during the pandemic?
Ireland
During this pandemic, home is a place of refuge and safety for most of us. But for thousands of women, men and children, home feels like the most dangerous place they could be.
16 Backers raised €720 of €700
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Completed
CARING FOR CARERS: What’s life like for care workers in the coronavirus crisis?
Ireland
As Ireland grapples with the fallout from Covid-19, we want to see how one group of frontline workers - home carers - are faring, particularly when it comes to their pay and conditions.
20 Backers raised €1375 of €1375
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Completed
FUELLING RETIREMENT: Are Irish pensions contributing to the climate crisis?
Ireland
In 2019, Ireland became one of the first countries in the world to divest its investment fund away from companies that make substantial profit from fossil fuels. However, the majority of private Irish pension funds still include companies involved in oil and gas exploration, extraction and refinement.
46 Backers raised €1240 of €1240
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Completed
EYES RIGHT: How is the far right influencing Irish public opinion online?
Ireland
Though far right parties failed to return a single candidate in the general election, there is growing concern about the rise of the far right views and ideology in Ireland.
76 Backers raised €1910 of €1910
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Completed
ASSESSING AUTISM: Why are children left waiting for years for support?
Ireland
Research shows that early diagnosis of autism leading to early interventions and treatment can have major long-term positive effects for children.
29 Backers raised €710 of €710
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Completed
BLIND JUSTICE: Is everyone equal in the eyes of the Irish law and prison system?
Ireland
Around the world, minority groups are overrepresented in prisons. In New Zealand, indigenous Maori people make up 15% of the population but half of the prison population while, in the US, black people are over five times more likely than white people to go to prison.
58 Backers raised €1890 of €1890
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Completed
BANKS OF THE LEE: What is going to stop flooding in Cork city?
Cork
The Lee in Cork city has burst its banks on numerous occasions in the past and with sea levels set to rise due to climate change, concern is increasing about the need for better flood protection for its businesses and residents.
29 Backers raised €2900 of €2900
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Completed
NET LOSS: Is Ireland killing its own fishing industry... by overfishing?
Ireland
Declining fish stock is one the major challenges to the Irish fishing industry. One of Ireland’s most important fisheries, Celtic Sea herring, was closed last year just 48 hours after the seasonal fishery opened due to the small size of fish caught. Reduced levels of these fish also have an impact on animals who depend on them such as whales and dolphins.
16 Backers raised €1950 of €1950
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Completed
PARKING PRESSURE: Why are patients and families still paying high rates to park at hospitals?
Ireland
Patients, visitors, and staff of Irish hospitals are forking out over €60,000 every day to park at hospitals around the country. In 2017, for example, €22.4 million was raised by hospitals from parking, making it an important source of funding for them.
2 Backers raised €20 of €20
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Completed
SELLING OUR GENES: Should the Government be funding a private company to collect 400,000 Irish people’s DNA?
Ireland
Personal data is big business - and nothing is more personal than our genetic blueprint.
74 Backers raised €2300 of €2300
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Completed
SPRUCED UP: Are coniferous trees killing our native ecosystem?
Ireland
A Government plan to plant almost 400 million trees by 2046 was announced as part of the Climate Action Plan in the past few months. There is a target of 70% conifers and 30% broadleaf for these new plantations which has led to some biodiversity advocates being concerned about the continued afforestation of Ireland by non-native conifers.
54 Backers raised €1950 of €1950
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Completed
RISK TO BABY: Why were Irish women not told for decades about an epilepsy drug that causes birth defects?
Ireland
Sodium valproate is an epilepsy medicine commonly sold under the name Epilim. It was known since its availability in the 1970s that it may cause birth defects if used in pregnancy yet for decades many women across the world were prescribed this drug without being warned of this risk by their doctors.
16 Backers raised €580 of €580
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Completed
COST OF CARBON: Are companies paying their fair share on emissions?
Ireland
Ireland is exceeding its greenhouse gas emissions targets by millions of tonnes per year. It has been warned that it is not doing enough, quickly enough, to reduce that excess.
74 Backers raised €2050 of €2050
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Completed
LIFT OUT: When is public transport going to be fully accessible to disabled people?
Ireland
Access to public transport has been highlighted as a problem in Ireland for many years with notice needed for commuter trains, numerous bus stops inaccessible, some areas not covered by any service and accessible taxis in short supply.
54 Backers raised €1200 of €1200
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Completed
BICYCLE BLACKSPOTS: Which roads and junctions are the most dangerous for cyclists in Ireland?
Ireland
The number of people cycling in Ireland has risen dramatically in recent years.
34 Backers raised €725 of €700
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Completed
SOLVING SOLAR: Why are we not putting solar panels on the roof of every home in Ireland?
Ireland
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels use energy from the sun to create electricity. The price of these panels has dropped significantly over the past number of decades, so what is stopping households from installing them?
16 Backers raised €760 of €750
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Completed
DEAD END: Will Galway’s long promised ring road make a significant difference to traffic congestion in the city?
Galway
It was 1999 when a bypass was first proposed for the city of Galway. Since then, traffic congestion has grown ever worse and long delays have become a feature of daily life for those who live and work there. For a relatively compact city, congestion is far worse than might be expected, not least because public transport options are so limited.
39 Backers raised €1200 of €1200
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Completed
FUNDING FERTILITY: Has the delay in publicly funding IVF destroyed people’s chance to have children?
Ireland
Around one in six couples in Ireland experience difficulty when trying to have children and will face thousands of euro in costs if they seek fertility treatment.
28 Backers raised €950 of €950
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Completed
ACADEMIC UNCERTAINTY: How are universities and institutes of technology allowed to employ so many researchers and lecturers on precarious contracts?
Ireland
In Ireland, we hold academics in high esteem but are they being treated properly by their employers and the Government?
44 Backers raised €1300 of €1300
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Completed
LOSING FAITH: Why is it taking so long to provide non-denominational school options to parents around the country?
Ireland
With one in ten Irish people declaring they have no religion in the latest census, the provision of suitable education options is becoming ever more pressing.
10 Backers raised €1450 of €1450
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Completed
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE: How much did a controversial road scheme in Kilkenny City actually cost and has it delivered what it was supposed to?
Kilkenny
It was one of the most controversial road developments of recent years in Ireland, a plan to build a new bridge across the River Nore in Kilkenny.
46 Backers raised €1371 of €1350
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Completed
THE CONSTRUCTION NETWORK: Connecting the dots between the government and lobbyists for developers and the construction industry
Ireland
From the nearly 1,900 lobbyists registered in Ireland, many lobby on behalf of the construction industry and property development companies keen to see the Irish property market expand.
128 Backers raised €3200 of €3200
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Completed
SPEAK OR SURVIVE? Are survivors of sexual abuse properly supported when they come forward?
National
At least one in four people experience sexual abuse in childhood. About 80 per cent are abused by a person known to them; most often, a family member.
48 Backers raised €1440 of €1410
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Completed
LYING IDLE: How many state properties are lying vacant around the country.
Ireland
The Office of Public Works manages over 2,500 properties around Ireland on behalf of the state.
9 Backers raised €360 of €350
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Completed
SEPTIC SWIM: Is enough being done to keep Dublin Bay safe for swimmers this summer?
Dublin
Effluent leaks have resulted in pollution incidents along the eastern coastline at least twice so far this year - and bathing restrictions were put in place at popular Dublin beaches.
2 Backers raised €400 of €400
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Completed
PARENT RIGHTS: Why are same-sex couples and other parents still in legal limbo with their own children?
Ireland
Half a decade after Ireland’s historic marriage equality vote, many same-sex couples and so-called ‘non-traditional families’ still face discrimination when it comes to their rights as parents.
24 Backers raised €751 of €750
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Completed
CUT DOWN TO SIZE: Why are Ireland's local authorities so keen to chop down trees?
Ireland
Across Ireland, locals have been dismayed to see trees and bushes chopped down by public bodies.
47 Backers raised €1100 of €1100
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Completed
BURYING THE PAST: Behind the scenes of government talks on Tuam Mother and Baby Home
National
In October of last year, Minister Katherine Zappone announced that the Bon Secours Sisters religious congregation had agreed to contribute €2.5 million towards the costs of excavating the burial site at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home.
2 Backers raised €252 of €250
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Completed
PRICE OF BEAUTY: Are people taking a risk when they opt for dermal fillers?
National
Dermal fillers have become one of the treatments of choice for people in Ireland wanting to rid themselves of wrinkles.
1 Backer raised €900 of €900
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Completed
FOLLOWING THE HERD: Why are Meningitis C vaccination rates so far behind target in parts of Ireland?
National
For many parents, the word meningitis is enough to send shivers down their spine.
2 Backers raised €353 of €350
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Completed
SHORT-TERM LET, LONG-TERM PAIN: Why do councils struggle to put a stop to properties being used exclusively on sites like Airbnb?
National
Property owners can pull in hundreds of euro per night renting out homes as round-the-year accommodation on platforms like Airbnb and hotel booking sites, making similar amounts in a week to what they could otherwise expect to receive in a month or more from a long-term tenant.
5 Backers raised €800 of €800
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Completed
NOT SO FAST: Strategic Housing Development speeds up planning process for developers but is it helping increase the supply of accommodation?
Ireland
In June 2017, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy introduced a new system of fast-track planning for housing developments.
2 Backers raised €404 of €400
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Completed
LATE INTERVENTION: Why does it take over two years to get early intervention appointments for some children?
Ireland
Across the country, there are thousands of young children in need of early intervention.
9 Backers raised €1100 of €1100
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Completed
PROTECTING THE PROTECTORS: The mental health crisis in the Defence Forces.
National
Almost a year ago, the only psychiatrist working in the Defence Forces retired from his post.
2 Backers raised €252 of €250
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Completed
SINK OR SWIM: How could an historic sea baths get renovated yet remain closed to swimmers for six months each year?
Dublin
It cost €2.4 million to refurbish with local residents hoping that their long-closed sea water swimming baths would finally re-open to the public.
4 Backers raised €503 of €500
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Completed
IRELAND’S ADDICTION: Why is there so little regulation of the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling?
National
Gambling in Ireland is a gigantic industry with at least €5 billion - or €9,500 every minute - staked in bets last year.
23 Backers raised €2425 of €2400
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Completed
POLITICAL PENSIONS: How much is paid out each year in political and ministerial pensions?
National
Until last year, the Department of Finance published details of how much it paid in pensions to former ministers, taoisigh, presidents, judges, and other ex-officeholders.
2 Backers raised €110 of €100
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Completed
AWAY FROM PRYING EYES: Why do some local authorities still not webcast their meetings?
National
Almost fifteen years ago, Fingal County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to make its council meetings available live online.
13 Backers raised €1165 of €1100
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Completed
COMPO CLAIMS: Does Ireland really have a ‘compensation culture’?
National
The government minister responsible for the insurance industry has said there are 'clusters' for compensation claims in Ireland.
8 Backers raised €1260 of €1250
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Completed
SELLING THE FAMILY SILVER: Dublin City Council's plans to 'consolidate' 33 valuable depot sites.
Dublin
Across Dublin city, there are a network of 33 council depot sites – many of them located on prime development land.
4 Backers raised €100 of €100
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Completed
INFLATING GRADES: Is it getting easier to graduate with first class honours?
National
Almost every generation seems to think they had it much harder than the one that follows.
6 Backers raised €1350 of €1350
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