Development Work

Equality and human rights is a natural area where Local Development Companies (LDCs) can drive development, integrating it as practice across the community, state sector and in our local communities - to the benefit of those we serve.

After 31 years of employment and even longer as a local volunteer, Paddy Flannery retired today, Friday, June 28th, as manager of Moyross Community Enterprise Centre (MCEC). The Mayor of Limerick John Moran joined staff past and present, Paddy’s family and community, academic, Garda and local government agency representatives at a retirement celebration to honour his years of service.  

Community leaders and residents in Dolphin House and Park, located just off the South Circular Road in Dublin's South Inner City, have had enough of broken promises, politicians saying money is no problem, and ministers saying planning could be fast-tracked.

Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC) moved premises one year ago. The organisation has outreach offices across the county, which it retains, but staff in Letterkenny were spread between three buildings, including a two-storey where each team operated from separate rooms.

BY DEARBHÁIL BUTLER, who writes - At the beginning, there was no communication between residents and Gardaí - by the end of this new programme they both had a much deeper understanding of each others challenges and a mutual respect was formed. Also, residents are now much more confident referring locals to any of the agencies that were involved.

The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) has a new team of four. The network represents the country’s 49 Local Development Companies as they work to create real and lasting change with marginalised communities.

Officially launching the values and principles document, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien, said: “The publication of these values and principles copper-fastens the renewed relationship and partnership between government and the community and voluntary sector, which has been central in addressing the crises of recent times.”

Here are 21 reasons why Ireland is a better place today for taking care of refugees. And - ON THE OTHER HAND - there are 8 major concerns/challenges. What have we missed, good and bad?