- Read more: Improving engagement with Ireland’s solar schools scheme by reducing administrative frictions
In their 2024 Climate Action Plan, the Government of Ireland established a national target to install 8 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels nationally by 2030[i]. As part of this target, the Solar for Schools programme was launched by the Department of Education in November 2023. This programme provides all eligible schools in Ireland with…
- Read more: A Focus on Mind-wandering in Early Classroom Settings: An All-Island Perspective
In this short report, we look at the findings of our first co-creative AIEN project that focuses on the current understanding and management of mind-wandering (a form of inattention) in early classroom settings. This collaborative collection of three research studies explore mind-wandering in the first two years of school. This research agenda was chosen as…
- Read more: Educaring for Wellbeing – A Transformative Approach for a Thriving Society?
Education is the cornerstone of our societies. It is the foundation upon which we build our communities, re/shape our values and understand ourselves as citizens of our immediate world and beyond. Education helps us to make sense of the world around us, challenging us to engage our creativity and critical thinking skills to solve problems,…
- Read more: Linking the Irish Environment: Exploring the role of civil society in promoting cross-border environmental cooperation
Almost all environmental challenges facing the island of Ireland – and there are many – will ultimately require cooperation across the border. This has been recognised at government and policy level, and explicitly in the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement (GF/BA) where the environment is identified as a key area for cooperation.[i] Despite this, Northern Ireland and…
- Read more: Reducing administrative frictions in Ireland’s afforestation scheme
Ireland’s Afforestation Scheme offers generous grants to landowners to plant trees. However, to date, uptake of the scheme by landowners is well below national targets. One potential barrier to uptake is the administrative friction within the scheme, which can make landowners’ experiences of policy implementation more onerous and result in lower participation. The purpose of…
- Read more: The Next Government Could Eliminate Consistent Poverty by 2030
Consistent poverty is a unique Irish statistic that combines risk-of-poverty (having an income less than 60% of the median) with the experience of deprivation (inability to afford two or more of 11 basic items such as a warm coat or home heating). The latest statistics show that 3.6% of the population—including 4.8% of all children—lives…
- Read more: Mandatory Reporting of Adult Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse: Ireland’s Policy and Legal Quandary
Child protection is everybody’s business. However, until very recently Irish law and policy lacked clear guidelines and obligations to report instances of harm and abuse concerning children. Mandatory reporting, enacted under the Children First Act 2015, is one such recent development. It provides that specific, scheduled, ‘Mandated Persons’ shall report concerns of harm to children…
- Read more: Marginalised experiences in Ireland’s energy transition – moving towards a just and inclusive policy agenda
This article focuses on the acute policy challenges and interventions that are needed in the energy sector to address the uneven distribution of the cost and benefits of the energy transition for women, low-income groups, older people and rural communities, ensuring a more equitable and inclusive transition process in Ireland.
- Read more: Advancing Gender Equality through EU Regulation: Work-Balance Directive
In recent years, gender equality has become a top priority for the European Union (EU). The European Commission has recognized that the disproportionate share of care responsibilities that women shoulder affect women’s underrepresentation and advancement in the labour market. It estimates that the economic loss due to the gender employment gap amounts to €370 billion…
- Read more: Addressing the Dementia Challenge in Ireland: Technology Solutions for Self-Management
Dementia presents a growing public health challenge in Ireland, where the number of people living with dementia is projected to reach 150,000 by 2045. This rise places significant strain on healthcare systems, informal caregivers, and the broader economy. Currently, dementia care relies heavily on informal family caregiving and expensive nursing home care. This paper explores…
