DONEGAL COUNCILLOR’S AILG PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITIES 
Bringing power back to local government and ensuring that councillors are properly equipped to deal with the challenges they face top the agenda for the President of the Association of Irish Local Government. Cllr Nicholas Crossan outlines his priorities during his one-year term of office to 'Council Review'. ‘SHE’ WINS EUROPEAN INNOVATION IN POLITICS AWARD
A gender equality initiative to increase women's representation in politics won a European Innovation in Politics Award for 2021. Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager for See Her Elected (SHE), and Minister Peter Burke, discuss plans for this rural project, in advance of the 2024 Local Elections. ‘QHUBS’ QUALITY STANDARD SETS OUT NEW FRAMEWORK
A national Quality Standards Framework has been put in place for enterprise hubs, plus co-working and remote working locations that play a pivotal role in supporting start-ups, SMEs, multinationals and remote workers across public and private sectors. LDA’S URBAN REJUVENATION PROJECT FOR LIMERICK CITY
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has progressed proposals for a major urban rejuvenation project in Limerick City. ‘The Colbert Quarter’ now sets a framework to transform areas around Colbert Station, by delivering homes with commercial, cultural, public spaces alongside sustainable transport options, writes Dearbhla Lawson, LDA’s Head of Strategic Planning. AFFORDABILITY IS KEY TO ADDRESSING HOUSING CRISIS
New Government measures to make homes more affordable is at the heart of ambitious housing plans, according to Bob Jordan, CEO of The Housing Agency. He says the Agency will provide information, advice and expertise to assist local authorities in the delivery of these new initiatives. FORUM TO ADVANCE GREENER, HEALTHIER HOMES
A new forum has been established to ensure there's no compromise between health and energy efficiency in new build homes and to address health problems caused by low-quality homes. Healthy Homes Ireland aims to promote a greener and healthier living environment across Ireland’s homes. SEMINAR SHOWCASES GOOD PRACTICE AND INNOVATION
Local authority projects ranging from climate action, virtual public consultations to citizen interaction were showcased at the Good Practice in Local Government seminar, hosted by the National Oversight and Audit Commission and the Local Government Management Agency, during Innovation Week 2021. SOCIAL HOUSING NEEDS DELIVERY NOT SOLUTIONS – SJI STUDY
Having argued for years that housing subsidies such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) have not worked, Social Justice Ireland’s latest study ‘Housing and Poverty 2022’ certainly provides further proof of that, writes Colette Bennett, Economic and Social Analyst.