Noteworthy

AGAINST THE GRAIN: How reliant are Irish livestock farms on imported feed?

Open

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.

11 Backers raised €370 of €1740

POLICY PATCHWORK: Do schools have adequate policies to support transgender students?

Open

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.

5 Backers raised €190 of €1990

SHALL NOT PASS: Is the State supporting hydropower at the expense of the natural world?

Funded

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

PAY IN PERSPECTIVE: Are wages at State bodies in line with public sector standards?

Open

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

DOUBLE DIGITS: Which politicians and public servants get multiple pensions?

Open

Dublin

The public service sector has the highest pension coverage, with many on the upper rungs of the Oireachtas ladder getting two generous State pensions.

4 Backers raised €100 of €1730

NOT UNIFORM: Why do schools still have gender-based dress codes?

Open

Ireland

Most schools in Ireland enforce strict dress codes with uniforms, sometimes even specifying the colour of scarf to be worn and minimum length of skirt.

6 Backers raised €80 of €1900

WITH GREAT POWER: Why is a Wexford power plant causing concern?

Completed

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

BORN TO BE WILD: Who is profiting from the unregulated exotic animal trade?

Open

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.

5 Backers raised €95 of €2400

OVERSEAS IMPACT: Are Irish companies profiting at the expense of locals and ecosystems?

Open

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.

12 Backers raised €290 of €3675

BALANCING THE BOOKS: Are publishers profiting from new school book editions?

Open

Ireland

Despite the Government introducing 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.

8 Backers raised €145 of €1730

LIFE AND DEATH: Are lives at risk from ambulance delays?

Open

Regional

Long response times and delays at emergency departments are ongoing issues with the ambulance service, with the longest delays occurring in rural Ireland.

2 Backers raised €25 of €2780

PIPE DREAM: Are delays in water infrastructure upgrades holding up rural development?

Open

Ireland

It is government policy to encourage development of rural towns and villages due to the environmental, climate and social benefits for society including people living close to services, reducing car dependency and strengthening local communities.

11 Backers raised €370 of €2200

EYES ON THE ROAD: What data is being collected on drivers and vehicles?

Open

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

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS: Are sports capital grants fairly distributed?

Open

Ireland

Concerns over the geographic breakdown of sports grants as well as lack of grant funding for certain sports types have been raised in recent years.

1 Backer raised €20 of €2210

FREE DATA: Is the journey data of free travel pass holders being retained?

Completed

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

PRICE OF KNOWLEDGE: Are rising costs a barrier to third-level education?

Open

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

PROLONGING GRIEF: Is the coroner process of investigating tragic deaths failing families?

Open

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.

3 Backers raised €70 of €2930

FREE TO AIR: Why are fans losing open access to viewing sporting events?

Open

Ireland

Major sporting events in Ireland’s three leading sports - GAA, soccer and rugby - have traditionally been broadcast as free-to-air events for all to see on national TV.

0 Backers raised €0 of €1960

PEOPLE POWER: Is Ireland playing its part in overseas election observation?

Open

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.

8 Backers raised €450 of €1940

NO ROOM: How difficult is it for disabled people to secure a home in Ireland?

Open

Ireland

There is a crisis within a crisis for disabled people who are left homeless or in unsuitable accommodation.

17 Backers raised €560 of €3275

COURSE OF INACTION: Is animal welfare protected in the coursing industry?

Open

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.

66 Backers raised €1580 of €3850

RACK AND RUIN: Why are our protected buildings falling into disrepair?

Open

Ireland

Ireland is home to a wide variety of buildings protected due to their architectural, historical, archaeological and cultural importance.

7 Backers raised €200 of €2880

THE UNPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: Are we taking women’s sexual and reproductive health seriously in Ireland?

Open

Ireland

Endometriosis is a condition that affects 10% of Irish women and can cause significant pain and disability and yet the first endometriosis clinic in Ireland was only set up in 2021.

9 Backers raised €215 of €2970

HIGH RISE: Are councils accounting for the impact of sea level rise in planning decisions?

Open

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.

6 Backers raised €470 of €3890

BREAK-IN: Are we doing enough to protect communities from crime in rural Ireland?

Open

Ireland

Rural crime has been an issue for many years, with serious and sometimes violent incidents leaving people to question if communities living in remote areas of Ireland are being properly protected by authorities.

0 Backers raised €0 of €3520

HANDS ON DECK: Are migrant workers being exploited in the Irish fishing industry?

Completed

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

BUNGALOW BLITZ: Is our rural housing model bad for sustainable planning?

Open

Ireland

One-off housing in rural Ireland has been a bone of contention for at least half a century. In the 1970s, An Foras Forbartha - the precursor to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - warned that scattered rural housing was costing the State up to five times more to service than closely knit dwellings for road maintenance and supply of electricity, waste, and other services.

6 Backers raised €145 of €2880

DELAYED DELIVERY: Is the rollout of Progressing Disability Services leaving children and teens in limbo?

Completed

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

OFF LEASH: How can we bring loose dogs under control?

Open

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.

9 Backers raised €255 of €2340

SPECIALIST CARE: Are we looking after our intern doctors and specialist trainees?

Open

Ireland

During their years of training, doctors often work excessive hours and experience poor work environments in the Irish healthcare system.

35 Backers raised €990 of €2430

DERELICTION OF DUTY: What is the impact of dereliction on housing in Cork city?

Open

Cork

The population of Cork is set to grow by almost 40% by 2031, with demands for accommodation set to swell in tandem. And already high rents are expected to rise too.

6 Backers raised €120 of €2960

CLASSROOM TO IMPROVE: Why are our children still educated in prefabs?

Open

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.

3 Backers raised €50 of €2035

STATE OF EMERGENCY: Why is overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick still so acute - and what does that mean for patients?

Completed

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

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT: Why is Naas surrounded by vacant industrial sites?

Open

Ireland

Traditionally, a market town in a rural setting, today Naas is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the Dublin commuter belt and an important node in the regional economy of Kildare. This was exemplified in 2015, when Kerry Group built its new global research centre just outside the town.

4 Backers raised €120 of €1695

NO KIDDING: Are au pairs being exploited by Irish households?

Open

Ireland

There are an estimated 15,000 childminders working in Ireland but despite widespread exploitation being highlighted within the sector a number of years ago, issues for au pairs continue to surface.

0 Backers raised €0 of €2800

WATCHING THE WATCHDOG: How is GSOC dealing with the public’s complaints?

Open

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.

4 Backers raised €170 of €2540

SQUARE OFF: Can Eyre Square’s anti-social behaviour problem be fixed?

Open

Galway

Eyre Square is in the heart of Galway City and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Yet, the square has recently been described as a ‘no-go area’ after dark, with a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents, including serious assaults, in recent months.

0 Backers raised €0 of €1660

FALLING DOWN: Is our building inspection regime papering over the cracks?

Open

Ireland

In the wake of the Mica scandal in Donegal, there have been renewed calls for a mandatory inspection regime during construction of all builds, similar to the system in Northern Ireland.

3 Backers raised €120 of €2760

ECONOMY CLASS: Why do schools still rely on parents to pay for essentials?

Open

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.

5 Backers raised €60 of €2770

PUSHING PILLS: Is there an overprescription problem in our nursing homes?

Open

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

SOIL INVADERS: Are invasive plants spreading out of control in Ireland?

Open

Ireland

Invasive alien species represent one of the main threats to biodiversity and related ecosystem services - especially on islands, according to the European Commission.

23 Backers raised €432 of €2940

BILL OF HEALTH : Are wellness pyramid schemes preying on Irish consumers?

Open

Ireland

The wellness, health and beauty industries have become big business in recent years globally - but not all players are interested in the wellbeing of their clients. A nasty side shoot has sprung up of so-called wellness schemes that make dubious claims of health benefits and promise easy money in return for an initial investment.

1 Backer raised €20 of €2300

OVER THE HILL: Can overgrazing on Ireland’s vulnerable habitats be stopped?

Completed

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

BOTTOMLESS PIT: Why are some quarries operating outside planning laws?

Open

Ireland

There are a spate of rules and regulations in place to ensure that quarries operate within the bounds of national and European law.

18 Backers raised €650 of €4290

VANISHING PAST: Is Ireland's archaeological heritage at risk of disappearing?

Open

Ireland

Protections for newly discovered national monuments have been radically reduced in the past decade and a half, since a 2004 amendment to the National Monuments Act. This change gave extra power to the State to remove them if they were in the way of certain projects such as motorways.

9 Backers raised €296 of €3420

COVID CONTRACTS: In crisis mode, does the tendering process go out the window?

Open

Ireland

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been issues with contracts and delivery of equipment such as ventilators across the world.

4 Backers raised €50 of €2890

BEATHA TEANGA: An bhfuil coinníollacha pleanála agus deonuithe á chur i bhfeidhm chun cinntiú go bhfásann ceantracha Gaeltachta?

Completed

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

WASH IT DOWN: Is Ireland’s pharma industry waste helping the spread of superbugs?

Open

Ireland

Superbugs - microbes resistant to most drugs - are "one of the biggest threats to global health", according to the WHO. But how are they developing this resistance?

1 Backer raised €20 of €3430

MAKE ENDS MEAT: What are conditions like for meat factory workers in Ireland?

Open

Ireland

The Covid pandemic highlighted poor conditions for workers in meat processing plants in Ireland as one of the first industries to report frequent outbreaks of the virus.

11 Backers raised €260 of €3200

EMPTY THE TANK: Are our septic tanks being managed correctly?

Open

Ireland

There are nearly half a million septic tank systems in operation that can contaminate water sources with harmful bacteria, viruses and excess nutrients if not built and maintained properly.

8 Backers raised €135 of €1840

LIGHTS OUT: Why are we facing an Irish electricity crisis?

Funded

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

BEHIND THE SCENES: Is there a culture of harassment within the Irish film industry?

Open

Ireland

The Me Too movement has shook up Hollywood and put the spotlight firmly on a sordid history of sexual abuse and harassment within the film industry in the US.

1 Backer raised €10 of €2925

APP LIFE: How is Ireland treating workers in the gig economy?

Open

Ireland

Insecure, short-term jobs have become a staple of our lives, with those working in the gig economy providing essential services during the pandemic, sometimes with little reward.

4 Backers raised €165 of €2750

BUILDING BLOCKED: Where has Ireland fallen down on social housing policy?

Open

Ireland

Ireland has become a country where the idea of social and affordable housing has gone from a near certainty to a vague aspiration for many generations of would-be homeowners in the space of a few decades.

14 Backers raised €285 of €4035

FAST FASHION: Are we doing enough to tackle fashion’s throwaway culture in Ireland?

Open

Ireland

Lower prices and greater availability of clothes has led to the low-use throwaway culture dubbed fast fashion.

11 Backers raised €260 of €3140

IN THE WEEDS: How toxic is our use of weedkillers at home and by public authorities?

Completed

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

MISSING INGREDIENT: Are food companies misleading the consumer over origin of certain food products?

Open

Ireland

Concerns have been raised in recent years that customers can’t easily identify the true origins of products that fill our supermarket shelves - from fruit and veg to tinned goods and pre-packed food.

3 Backers raised €50 of €3360

WAITING ROOM: Why is it difficult for many to get access to a local GP?

Open

Ireland

General practitioner services have been under severe pressure since the pandemic resulting in longer appointment waiting times and leaving many struggling to find a GP in their area.

6 Backers raised €240 of €3190

UP MANURE CREEK: Why is traditional slurry spreading happening when it’s bad for human health?

Open

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.

18 Backers raised €570 of €2310

DEBT OF DAIRY: Is State agri-expansion policy driving up debt in the dairy sector?

Open

Ireland

On the face of it, the dairy sector is doing well; it has seen a resurgence in production and profit since the end of the milk quota in 2015.

5 Backers raised €225 of €2320

FAILURE TO PROTECT: Are children being left in the hands of sexual abusers?

Open

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.

8 Backers raised €310 of €3820

CROSSING FOR CARE: Is Ireland using a cross border scheme to export its healthcare issues?

Open

Ireland

Irish patients continue to travel abroad for appointments with consultants and for much-needed surgeries in order to avoid long waiting lists here.

2 Backers raised €40 of €2715

UP IN SMOKE: What role does domestic wood burning play in Ireland’s air pollution problems?

Open

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

REHAB WAIT: Why are people waiting up to two years for a drug detox bed?

Open

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.

8 Backers raised €430 of €2230

WHAT THE FRACK: Is there a renewed risk of fracking on the island of Ireland?

Open

Ireland

In July 2017, Ireland became one of only a handful of countries in the world to ban fracking - the controversial technique used to extract natural gas from areas rich in shale rock.

9 Backers raised €182 of €2390

KIDS IN CARE: Are children falling through the cracks of the care system?

Open

Ireland

Almost 6,000 children are currently living in care in Ireland, with more than 90% of those in foster care. As of September 2020, 94% of children in care had an allocated social worker, meaning almost 350 children did not have this support.

6 Backers raised €100 of €2330

BREAKING THE BANKS: Are Irish riverside habitats under threat from over-maintenance?

Completed

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

SHORED UP: Can our laws catch up with the commercial use of our coasts?

Open

Ireland

In recent years, Ireland's coastal areas have seen an upsurge in plans for commercial activities - from offshore wind farms to industrial-scale seaweed harvesting.

5 Backers raised €130 of €2550

CITIZENS BE AWARE: Why did the State move away from the grassroots model of local community advice services?

Open

Ireland

Voluntary community information centres began popping up in Ireland from the late 1960s to offer citizens information on a broad range of public services, including housing, social welfare and financial advice.

6 Backers raised €105 of €2080

GENERATION REGENERATION: Will Limerick city ever get the chance it was promised to eliminate deprivation?

Open

Limerick

Cuts, revisions and delays have resulted in under delivery of housing and controversy over the regeneration of Limerick, over a decade after a plan was launched to transform the city.

13 Backers raised €385 of €3320

NEXT OF KIN: Is the State failing to support older people providing full time care for their grandkids?

Open

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

E-LEARNING THE HARD WAY: Are online education courses taking advantage of people during the pandemic?

Open

International

With citizens across the world in intermittent lockdown since the start of the pandemic, the opportunity for learning new skills and interacting with our peers has been largely limited to the online realm.

0 Backers raised €0 of €3375

ACROSS THE BOARD: Are rural grants being distributed equally under the LEADER scheme?

Funded

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

SOAKED UP: Are lax rules on water extraction affecting our local water supplies?

Open

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.

20 Backers raised €565 of €2640

LOST FOR WORDS: Why does Ireland not have any quality standards for vital service interpreters?

Open

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

FUELLED BY NATURE: Will the rise in bioenergy have a negative impact on our climate ambitions?

Open

Ireland

Bioenergy - from woody biomass, energy crops like willow, grasslands and farm waste - is already the main source of renewable energy in the EU. In Ireland, however, it currently makes up less than 5% of Ireland’s energy profile.

8 Backers raised €230 of €2475

SYSTEM OVERLOAD: The public health system was creaking before the pandemic - has Covid-19 broken it?

Funded

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

TRADE OFF: Are we turning a blind eye to animal welfare concerns in the live export trade?

Completed

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

WASTE NOT: Are our supermarkets doing enough to reduce food waste?

Open

Ireland

In Ireland, over 1 million tonnes of food is estimated to be wasted annually, costing Irish households, businesses and the planet, with food waste estimated to be responsible for 10% of global emissions.

6 Backers raised €145 of €1410

DAY IN DAY OUT: What has the impact of reduced day services been on people with disabilities?

Open

Ireland

Day services for people with disabilities were badly hit by the pandemic, by first closing their doors for a number of months, and then reopening at a reduced capacity.

2 Backers raised €35 of €1940

GOING TO BED HUNGRY: Is the State tackling food poverty?

Open

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.

4 Backers raised €80 of €1950

STOLEN WHEELS: How can we stop rampant bike theft in this country?

Completed

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

TOUGH START: Is the opportunity gap for Traveller children ever going to close?

Completed

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

FACTORY FARM: Are we prioritising profits over animal welfare and human health?

Completed

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

FOUL PLAY: Why does dog faeces continue to litter our streets and parks?

Open

Ireland

The problem of dog fouling in Dublin grew so bad that local authorities launched a hotline in 2013 to report cases in a bid to get people to clean up after their animals.

9 Backers raised €180 of €1510

POSTCARDS OFFER: Give the gift of investigative journalism

Open

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

PITCH IMPERFECT: Are astroturf pitches bad for our green spaces?

Open

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.

8 Backers raised €170 of €2170

IN A FIX - Why are people still being exposed to mould, sewage and pests in local authority housing?

Open

Ireland

Social housing in Ireland was found in violation of human rights in 2017 by the European Committee of Social Rights due to the presence of sewage, contaminated water, dampness and persistent mould.

2 Backers raised €70 of €2390

TROUBLED WATERS: Are salmon fish farms harming our marine ecosystem?

Completed

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

IN LIMBO: Why are people left in hospitals and nursing homes instead of rehab?

Open

Ireland

Though the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) recently moved into a new building, spinal cord and brain injury survivors remain on long waiting lists for specialist rehabilitation.

5 Backers raised €160 of €1730

ENDANGERED SPECIES: Can Ireland halt the decline of its precious biodiversity?

Completed

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

REVOLVING DOOR: What influence do former politicians have in Leinster House?

Completed

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

HOLY LAND: How much money are religious orders pocketing from lucrative property sales?

Completed

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

RED FLAG: Is swimming off Ireland's coast under threat from pollution?

Open

Ireland

While almost 80% of our bathing water was classed as excellent in 2021, 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.

44 Backers raised €1005 of €2600

SILENT TREATMENT: Are people with eating disorders being failed by the public health system?

Completed

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

PEAT'S SAKE: Why have authorities failed to tackle unlicensed industrial peat extraction?

Completed

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

BIRTH PLACE: Why does the Irish health service offer so little choice for expectant mothers?

Nearly Funded

Ireland

In 2015, the National Maternity Strategy said “there is a lack of choice for expectant mothers” by international standards. It proposed a model of care that “represents a fundamental overhaul of services” which are currently “largely consultant-led and hospital-based”.

52 Backers raised €1638 of €2030

CASH COW: Are subsidies encouraging unsustainable farming practices?

Completed

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

EXOTIC WASTELAND: Where do soft plastics in our recycling bin end up?

Funded

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

SHEAR FORCE: Why are hedgerows still being cut during the prohibited season?

Completed

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

RACISM AT WORK: Is ethnic discrimination placing barriers before people in the workplace?

Open

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.

22 Backers raised €477 of €2290

REAPING THE HARVEST: Have years of neglect left horticulture at a pandemic-provoked tipping point?

Completed

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

CHILDCARE CROSSROADS: How do we construct a childcare system in post-pandemic Ireland that works for everyone?

Completed

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

TRAPPED WITH TORMENTORS: How can we protect people from abuse and violence during the pandemic?

Completed

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

CARING FOR CARERS: What’s life like for care workers in the coronavirus crisis?

Completed

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

FUELLING RETIREMENT: Are Irish pensions contributing to the climate crisis?

Funded

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

EYES RIGHT: How is the far right influencing Irish public opinion online?

Completed

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

ASSESSING AUTISM: Why is the wait time for ASD assessments over a year longer than legally required?

Open

Ireland

Research shows that early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) leading to early interventions and treatment can have major long-term positive effects on symptoms and later skills.

26 Backers raised €575 of €2100

BLIND JUSTICE: Is everyone equal in the eyes of the Irish law and prison system?

Completed

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

BANKS OF THE LEE: What is going to stop flooding in Cork city?

Completed

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

NET LOSS: Is Ireland killing its own fishing industry... by overfishing?

Completed

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

PARKING PRESSURE: Why are patients and families still paying high rates to park at hospitals?

Open

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 €1400

SELLING OUR GENES: Should the Government be funding a private company to collect 400,000 Irish people’s DNA?

Completed

Ireland

Personal data is big business - and nothing is more personal than our genetic blueprint.

74 Backers raised €2300 of €2300

SPRUCED UP: Are coniferous trees killing our native ecosystem?

Completed

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

RISK TO BABY: Why were Irish women not told for decades about an epilepsy drug that causes birth defects?

Completed

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

COST OF CARBON: Are companies paying their fair share on emissions?

Completed

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

LIFT OUT: When is public transport going to be fully accessible to disabled people?

Completed

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

BICYCLE BLACKSPOTS: Which roads and junctions are the most dangerous for cyclists in Ireland?

Completed

Ireland

The number of people cycling in Ireland has risen dramatically in recent years.

34 Backers raised €725 of €700

SOLVING SOLAR: Why are we not putting solar panels on the roof of every home in Ireland?

Completed

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

DEAD END: Will Galway’s long promised ring road make a significant difference to traffic congestion in the city?

Completed

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

FUNDING FERTILITY: Has the delay in publicly funding IVF destroyed people’s chance to have children?

Completed

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

ACADEMIC UNCERTAINTY: How are universities and institutes of technology allowed to employ so many researchers and lecturers on precarious contracts?

Completed

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

LOSING FAITH: Why is it taking so long to provide non-denominational school options to parents around the country?

Completed

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

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?

Completed

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

THE CONSTRUCTION NETWORK: Connecting the dots between the government and lobbyists for developers and the construction industry

Completed

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

SPEAK OR SURVIVE? Are survivors of sexual abuse properly supported when they come forward?

Completed

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

LYING IDLE: How many state properties are lying vacant around the country.

Completed

Ireland

The Office of Public Works manages over 2,500 properties around Ireland on behalf of the state.

9 Backers raised €360 of €350

SEPTIC SWIM: Is enough being done to keep Dublin Bay safe for swimmers this summer?

Completed

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

PARENT RIGHTS: Why are same-sex couples and other parents still in legal limbo with their own children?

Completed

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

CUT DOWN TO SIZE: Why are Ireland's local authorities so keen to chop down trees?

Completed

Ireland

Across Ireland, locals have been dismayed to see trees and bushes chopped down by public bodies.

47 Backers raised €1100 of €1100

BURYING THE PAST: Behind the scenes of government talks on Tuam Mother and Baby Home

Completed

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

PRICE OF BEAUTY: Are people taking a risk when they opt for dermal fillers?

Completed

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

FOLLOWING THE HERD: Why are Meningitis C vaccination rates so far behind target in parts of Ireland?

Completed

National

For many parents, the word meningitis is enough to send shivers down their spine.

2 Backers raised €353 of €350

SHORT-TERM LET, LONG-TERM PAIN: Why do councils struggle to put a stop to properties being used exclusively on sites like Airbnb?

Completed

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

NOT SO FAST: Strategic Housing Development speeds up planning process for developers but is it helping increase the supply of accommodation?

Completed

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

LATE INTERVENTION: Why does it take over two years to get early intervention appointments for some children?

Completed

Ireland

Across the country, there are thousands of young children in need of early intervention.

9 Backers raised €1100 of €1100

PROTECTING THE PROTECTORS: The mental health crisis in the Defence Forces.

Completed

National

Almost a year ago, the only psychiatrist working in the Defence Forces retired from his post.

2 Backers raised €252 of €250

SINK OR SWIM: How could an historic sea baths get renovated yet remain closed to swimmers for six months each year?

Completed

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

IRELAND’S ADDICTION: Why is there so little regulation of the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling?

Completed

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

POLITICAL PENSIONS: How much is paid out each year in political and ministerial pensions?

Completed

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

AWAY FROM PRYING EYES: Why do some local authorities still not webcast their meetings?

Completed

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

COMPO CLAIMS: Does Ireland really have a ‘compensation culture’?

Completed

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

SELLING THE FAMILY SILVER: Dublin City Council's plans to 'consolidate' 33 valuable depot sites.

Completed

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

INFLATING GRADES: Is it getting easier to graduate with first class honours?

Completed

National

Almost every generation seems to think they had it much harder than the one that follows.

6 Backers raised €1350 of €1350