Noteworthy

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

New

Ireland

Four years 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.

3 Backers raised €70 of €750

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

Open

Ireland

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

9 Backers raised €145 of €1100

RAILROAD TO NOWHERE: Why has so much state funding been poured into a controversial Mayo project at risk of planning woes?

Open

Regional

In Mayo, plans are afoot to turn a disused stretch of an old railway into a tourist attraction.

0 Backers raised €0 of €600

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

OFF OUR TROLLEYS: Why does Ireland seem to get such poor value for the money it spends on healthcare?

Open

National

Ireland’s hospitals and health system are plagued by long waiting lists and poor patient outcomes, even though we are told we spend more for healthcare per person than the vast majority of countries.

4 Backers raised €61 of €1750

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

KEYS TO THE HOUSE: Are we electing more landlords to the Dáil and Seanad?

Open

National

A common complaint targeted at the government as it tries to tackle the housing crisis is that our elected officials don’t understand the problems of ordinary renters and aspiring homebuyers - and at worst, may be biased due to their own investments.

6 Backers raised €105 of €2200

ROUND THE BEND: Residents and authorities clash over a scheme blamed for creating chronic traffic jams

Open

Dublin

In Dublin, a major row has erupted between a local council, the National Transport Authority and local residents.

2 Backers raised €30 of €500

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

ANTI-SOCIAL HOUSING: Are local authorities doing enough to tackle bad behaviour in social housing?

Open

National

One of the most common criticisms of people on social housing lists comes when they refuse to take up the offer of a home. But what happens when somebody is offered a place which they do not believe is safe for them or their family?

6 Backers raised €100 of €1500

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.

3 Backers raised €498 of €500

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

Funded

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?

Funded

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’?

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.

Dublin

Across Dublin city, there are a network of 33 council depot sites – many of them located on prime development land.

4 Backers raised €1054 of €1050

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

Open

National

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

5 Backers raised €110 of €1350