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LYING IDLE - PART TWO: A deeper dive into how many state properties around the country are lying vacant.
National
In , we looked at the near one hundred properties owned by the Office of Public Works that are currently lying idle around the country.
0 Backers raised €0 of €1200
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New
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.
2 Backers raised €108 of €2150
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New
CRECHE-PROOF: Are creches operating outside required standards - until told otherwise?
National
Tens of thousands of households all over the country rely on the services provided by creches to care for their young children on a daily basis.
3 Backers raised €40 of €3750
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New
NO EXPENSES SPARED: Digging into the many ways that TDs and Senators can claim expenses from the taxpayer.
Ireland
“Policy formulation” expenses that are made up of sizable bills from some of the best restaurants in Ireland, a special secretarial allowance that allowed a government minister quietly hire the most famous PR consultant in Ireland, overnight expenses for politicians who live in the commuter suburbs of Kildare, Wicklow, and Meath.
5 Backers raised €70 of €1500
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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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Open
MISDIRECTED? How did the State decide the system of direct provision was suitable for asylum seekers to Ireland?
National
We are nearly 20 years into a system of direct provision which accommodates asylum-seekers in Ireland.
9 Backers raised €265 of €2450
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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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Open
PARENT RIGHTS: Why are same-sex couples and other parents still in legal limbo with their own children?
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.
8 Backers raised €230 of €750
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Open
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.
18 Backers raised €425 of €1100
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Open
RAILROAD TO NOWHERE: Why has so much state funding been poured into a controversial Mayo project at risk of planning woes?
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
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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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Open
OFF OUR TROLLEYS: Why does Ireland seem to get such poor value for the money it spends on healthcare?
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.
5 Backers raised €81 of €1750
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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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Open
KEYS TO THE HOUSE: Are we electing more landlords to the Dáil and Seanad?
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.
8 Backers raised €135 of €2200
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Open
ROUND THE BEND: Residents and authorities clash over a scheme blamed for creating chronic traffic jams
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
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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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Open
ANTI-SOCIAL HOUSING: Are local authorities doing enough to tackle bad behaviour in social housing?
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?
8 Backers raised €120 of €1500
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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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Funded
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
 Funded 
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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