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DROWNING IN DEBT: Why do vulture funds still have a grip on Ireland?
Ireland
In the aftermath of the financial crisis, Ireland grappled with the consequences of loans being sold off to vulture funds.
5 Backers raised €95 of €3080
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QUANGO COMEBACK: Why does Ireland have so many State and semi-State bodies?
Ireland
In 2008, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development described Ireland’s public sector as an “organisational zoo” of State bodies.
2 Backers raised €50 of €3530
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CARBON CREDIT: Are the State’s climate offsets really green or plain greenwashing?
International
The State has shelled out €120 million in recent years for carbon credits to offset its failure to hit climate and renewable energy targets. But how green are these credits in reality?
7 Backers raised €145 of €3575
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OVER THE THRESHOLD: Why are Irish rents still so unaffordable?
Ireland
When rent is more than 35% of your income, you pass the official threshold of ‘affordable’ housing. This is happening to more and more Irish people.
5 Backers raised €115 of €1840
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PAY IN PERSPECTIVE: Does CEO pay at State bodies exceed the public sector ceiling?
Ireland
The government introduced a pay ceiling of €250,000 for future CEOs of commercial State companies on the foot of the 2008 financial crisis.
1 Backer raised €10 of €1340
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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.
9 Backers raised €235 of €1730
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BALANCING THE BOOKS: Are publishers profiting from new school book editions?
Ireland
While new Government plans mean free school books for primary pupils, parents of secondary school children will continue to pay the costly expense.
11 Backers raised €185 of €1730
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JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS: Are sports capital grants being dished out unfairly?
Ireland
There are concerns over the geographic spread of sports grants as well as lack of grant funding for certain sports types.
1 Backer raised €20 of €2210
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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 record rental costs.
2 Backers raised €30 of €2530
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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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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
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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