Noteworthy

Explore the stories that matter to you ...

Open

DERELICTION OF DUTY: How successful has the new vacant sites levy been in freeing up land for housing development around Ireland?

Ireland

It is one of the key planks of a government strategy to free up land for much-needed housing development. The vacant sites levy allows local authorities create a register of disused or derelict lands in their area. The owners of those lands would be charged an annual levy, first of 3% and then beginning next year 7% of the value of the land.

1 Backer raised €15 of €1500

Open

TOWER OF UNCERTAINTY: Unravelling the endless delays in redeveloping one of Dublin’s least-loved buildings

Dublin

It often features in lists of Ireland’s ugliest buildings … but Phibsboro Tower in Dublin is one of the city’s great survivors.

8 Backers raised €157 of €800

Funded

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

Open

THIS HOSTEL LIFE: How much are local authorities around the country paying for hostels, B&Bs, and hotels for the homeless?

Ireland

In Dublin, more than €60 million was spent last year providing emergency accommodation for homeless people at hotels, B&Bs,and guesthouses.

1 Backer raised €20 of €1000

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.

1 Backer raised €10 of €600

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

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

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?

10 Backers raised €165 of €1500

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

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

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