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The Journal
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Journal
New Government plan will increase meetings between criminals and their victims
THE GOVERNMENT WANTS to massively increase the number of meetings between criminals and the victims of their crimes in a bid to repair the harm caused by offenders. Fewer than 1% of court cases in 2019 were referred to restorative justice programmes, where offenders and victims meet face-to-face alongside trained professionals. The meetings typically let the victim talk about the impact the crime had on them and get answers to questions they may have. New targets have now been set out by the Probation Service seeking to increase the number of cases referred by the courts by 10% every year for three years, in the hope that restorative justice can be woven into the justice system. Welcoming the new targets, assistant professor in criminology at Maynooth University Dr Ian Marder said investment must be increased in order to make the service available to all who might benefit. 'These targets are achievable, but we're starting from a very low baseline,' Marder said. Pointing to his own research , Marder said the state is 'barely scratching the surface of the potential of restorative justice'. He said fewer than 400 cases were referred to the programmes in 2023, despite over 320,000 cases going through the courts. Based on those figures, as data from 2024 has yet to be published, the Probation Service could see just under 1,500 cases referred to them for restorative justice programmes between 2025 and 2027. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to continuing the rollout of the restorative justice programme in communities nationwide, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan recently told the Dáil . Advertisement He cited an additional €4m in funding allocated to the Probation Service in Budget 2025 which, among other things, will support services such as restorative justice. Marder told The Journal : 'It is really important to increase referrals to restorative justice because most people affected by crime are still not being offered the chance to participate, even where services exist.' Sinn Féin's TD Matt Carthy told The Journal : 'In the broadest terms, I welcome the publication of the action plan and that it's seen that the Probation Service is taking seriously its commitments to restorative justice.' The party's justice spokesperson said he hopes the 10% increase is 'not seen as the upper limit' to what can be achieved by the Probation Service in the plan. Carthy added that the government should continue to provide additional funding to the service but stressed that it should be underpinned by increased investments for community-based organisation facilitating the practice. The two-year action plan seeks to increase interventions by 10% and start an upskilling and training drive. Potentially suitable cases are referred to the Probation Service's Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit, probation officers and independent third parties. Many victims or people impacted by crime are often unaware that restorative justice programmes are available to them through the courts service. Referrals must be made by judges or gardaí. There are no immediate plans to recruit additional staff in the sector, with the action plan confident that capacity can withstand potential increases in referrals if partnered with sufficient training. Marder said some organisations have recruited one or two members of additional staff following a funding injection last year . He suggested that any additional funding in the action plan may seek to expand services into different counties. 'Again, the problem is that the starting point is very low,' he said. 'So we need to see the investment increase by many multiples before restorative justice will be accessible by everyone who might benefit.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘The recipe has been made in our city for 100 years' – 27-nation cookbook celebrates immigrant families with a taste of home
The 44-year-old moved to Carlow in 2018 with her son Albert (18). They are from Targu Jiu in south-western Romania and made the move for better educational opportunities for Albert. Ms Panescu said: 'I had everything I needed back home, the move was his future. I had worked as a secondary school teacher for 12 years and was an authorised translator for the Ministry of Justice.' After the move, Ms Panescu retrained at Maynooth University and now works as a project co-ordinator for a telecoms company. Although relocating was challenging, Georgiana had the support of friends she knew who were based in Carlow who also have children. She also took comfort in the similarities between Ireland and Romania. 'We were occupied by the Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire. Not to mention we were under communism until 1999. So the attitudes are similar. In spite of this occupation, we are very optimistic – just like the Irish people. 'In temperament, we are truly similar. Romanians and the Irish people like to laugh and to make fun of the negative things in their lives.' The international-themed cookbook, written by Tusla senior communications officer David Lawlor, celebrates the stories and food of 27 immigrant families from all over Ireland. From Mauritian to Iraqi to Zimbabwean cuisine, the 66-page book – which will be distributed in Deis schools as a multicultural educational tool and is free to read online – was launched late last month and is an A-Z of countries around the world. Georgiana and Albert chose Romanian sarmale, which are stuffed cabbage rolls, as their recipe for the cookbook. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more In Targu Jiu it is often served with a jelly made from pork juices and vegetables, while in other areas in Romania it's served with cream cheese. 'It is an old Romanian recipe, people eat it at Christmas, Easter, weddings, and all sorts of special occasions. There is not a Romanian on earth that wouldn't recognise it.' The weather here is great, you never know what's going to happen Another contributor to the cookbook is William Saucedo and his wife Laura Ximena Justiniano. Mr Saucedo, originally from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, came to Ireland in 2022 along with, his wife and their kids: Franco (14), Raphaella (11) and four-year-old Zamira. In their home city, William's car was hijacked while working as a taxi man and the family feared for the safety of their children in school. In search of asylum and better opportunities, the family then moved to Kilkenny, with William's daughter Adriana (13) from a previous marriage still living in Bolivia. Mr Saucedo's wife Laura and their children had no English when the family settled. But now the kids speak with a Kilkenny twang and Ms Ximena Justiniano is taking lessons. She is a homemaker while William works as a security night porter. One thing that surprisingly hasn't been an issue for the family is the weather. At times it can be difficult to sleep in their home country at night, with average temperatures of 25C. Ireland's cooler temperatures are welcomed. The couple's son Franco said: 'The weather here is great, you never know what's going to happen. It could rain one minute and then be sunny.' William describes his new-found home city as very 'welcoming to outsiders' and prides itself in its hospitality. The recipe the family chose for the cookbook is hot corn cake, similar to a tea cake but with cheese, and passed down by Mr Saucedo's grandmother. 'The recipe has been made in our city for 100 years .'
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Ireland's young adults on the future: ‘We are lost, forgotten about, no prospects'
The social contract is an understanding, long perpetuated by parents, believed by children and lived by older adults, that if they worked hard at school, a good 'permanent and pensionable' job would follow, and then a house and a life that moves forward in the traditional way. But times have changed and life looks very different for those hoping to follow in the footsteps of the generations that went before. We spoke to some young adults to see if all the certainties they were taught to expect are now just a fairy tale. Katie O'Reilly, 22 : 'Rent is astronomical. I'm stuck at home' Lives with her mother and sister in Tallaght O'Reilly says her mother 'really, really did value the importance of education' and 'I was marched to school every morning without fail, right up until I did my Leaving Cert'. Her mother 'would very much push us to get these results to bring us out of the situation. She wanted better for us than what she had for herself.' READ MORE O'Reilly, who graduated from Maynooth University with first-class honours in social science, is the first person in her family to get a degree, she says. But the college experience was very different for her generation, she says. 'Maybe one, two maximum, of my friends were able to find accommodation ... Most of us were commuting, which means we're literally doing our studies and we're leaving. There's no hanging around, joining societies, going out. There's none of that any more. It's all completely gone, which you would [have seen] as the traditional college experience. It's so hard to make those connections any more, because everyone's just in and they're out.' She worries about getting a permanent, pensionable job in the future. She has a temporary job for summer, but doesn't know what will happen after that. She has sent off lots of CVs and applied for graduate programmes in private companies. 'I've literally got nothing back,' she says. 'I don't see myself moving out [of home] for the next five to 10 years. It's just not viable. The rent is astronomical ... I'm stuck at home. Don't get me wrong, my mam and my sister are great, but it just doesn't feel natural ... You feel like you're stuck in the stage of being teenagers.' She applied for social housing but was not eligible. 'With the amount of work that I've put into my degree, and the education that I have, and all of the work experience and other educational certificates, it should really be a last resort, but it's becoming the only resort for a lot of people my age. If you are even eligible.' She believes the social contract has been broken and says this has taken its toll on her mental health. 'I just find sometimes you're a bit hopeless. You're working for all this and you're seeing yourself stuck in the same position. 'When you look back at my parents' generation, when my mam was 23 she had a mortgage. She had me. She was moved out [of her parents' house]. She was a lot more progressed in life than where I would be.' O'Reilly thinks the Government has '100 per cent' forgotten about people like her. Leo Galvin, 19 : 'It's not really optimistic' Law and criminology student Leo Galvin. Photograph: Alan Betson Galvin believes 'all those promises you would have had in the social contract have gone'. He doesn't think the changes are 'in any way a good thing'. He doesn't think it's the older generation's fault. 'Older people do want the best for younger people,' he says. 'There's a really small group of people who have a great deal of power who have decided that instead of working towards the betterment of society, they've more so worked towards a betterment of themselves.' He feels 'to a certain degree you can see that stunted growth. Couples who are still living in their parents' house who are really struggling ... I can see that kind of struggle in my own future,' he says. 'It's not really optimistic. 'After Covid and everything, there was already a certain degree of stunting in how much life I've lived,' he says. 'I have been trying to make up for that a little bit, and open myself up to new experiences.' He believes 'that old ideal is still there. Your parents will always say, 'Oh do your best at school and you'll succeed, or you'll get a house.' And what success looks like is a house, a family, that nuclear family. 'That traditional idea is still there, but I just know it's not really achievable, at least in a young person. I don't see that ever happening for me. I'd love for it [to], but I just don't think it's going to happen. 'I have resigned myself to it,' he says. 'I do feel cheated on a broader scale ... What my parents grew up with was the concept that you go to college to develop yourself as a person. And then when you go into a job, they'll train you. And then you'll go into employment and they'll look after you. And then when you retire, you'll be looked after as well. And I don't feel that's going to happen.' [ What's it like to be 25 in Ireland today? 70% live at home with their parents, CSO finds Opens in new window ] Aisling, 31 : 'Do I freeze my eggs? How long are we going to be waiting to start a family?' Works in finance Aisling and her partner, who is a tradesman, have been together for nine years. She believes 'the social contract is completely broken. That was ripped up 10-15 years ago. That contract doesn't stand any more.' Getting a pensionable job is something her parents had told her was important. She has recently got one. 'I have worked since I'm 17 and I have absolutely nothing to show for it,' she says. 'The plan was education, a good enough job that will carry us through, a pensionable job, then a house, get married, and then have kids ... It's out the window. It's up in the air. It's literally paused. We don't know what we'll do. 'Everything is on hold to try and save this deposit [for a house]. And then, once we have a deposit, we will never be able to go into a bidding war. We're not in a position. It's never ending. 'It's very hard to keep motivated, to keep positive. It does have an effect on your mental health. It has an effect on your relationship. Because it's another stressor.' She got engaged in 2022. 'I wasn't even that excited ... It was kind of like, 'Yeah, well, we're not going to be able to get married for a good while, because we need to focus on a house'. I'm not planning my wedding because I can't afford to plan my wedding.' She suspects the place she's renting with her partner could be sold soon. 'We don't have that security. That's why we're not starting a family. And even now, do I freeze my eggs? How long are we going to be waiting to start a family? 'I don't want to have to go through fertility treatment. But the way things are looking, that would be our only option,' she says. 'I don't want to bring kids into our current situation. 'We are lost. We are forgotten about,' she says. 'No prospects. No future.' [ 'How are you meant to enjoy sex and a relationship?' The reality of living with your parents in your 30s Opens in new window ] Kevin, 37 : 'I'm looking at 40, and it's only now that we're talking about the big life decisions' Works in media and grew up in a 'very underprivileged area' There was an idea 'that if you worked hard, you did the right thing, you treated people with respect, you gave it your best effort, that life would ultimately be better,' he says. That 'was a big part of the impetus that was upon people from my class background of getting out of the situation, getting out of poverty, and everything else'. He believes his generation was failed by austerity measures during the last recession. Cuts meant he had to drop out of university as a mature student, he says. 'I couldn't find a job on a full-time basis to keep going because entry-level positions had turned to JobBridge.' The scheme, introduced in 2011 by then minister for social protection Joan Burton to provide internships for unemployed graduates, closed in 2016. Kevin says what would be typical milestones have been delayed for his generation. 'The housing crisis meant that we had to continue postponing our decisions ... We couldn't either save or rent to live independently, and many of us ended up back in our parents' box rooms, [and] ended up having our development, our further life, stunted in other degrees like conducting relationships, sex, etc.' Kevin and his partner have had to put off conversations about future plans. 'We're at the point now, in our late 30s where the knock-on effects of austerity are everywhere,' he says. 'I'm now in my late 30s, looking at 40, and it's only now that we're talking about the big life decisions. Anything from pets to marriage to house.' The changing landscape of media means he's also wondering if the career he chose is an area he can continue in. 'The social contract, as far as I'm aware, we were told as an aspirational thing as working-class kids. I don't think it ever really existed.' In conversation with Jen Hogan EXPERT VIEWS Michelle Murphy : 'We need a new social contract' Research and policy analyst at Social Justice Ireland Michelle Murphy. Photograph: Alan Betson 'We need a new social contract, and we need a new conceptualisation of what that means,' says Michelle Murphy. 'It requires a conversation.' 'Social contract' – as the justice advocacy organisation has highlighted in recent years – is a centuries-old term now used to refer to the implicit understanding that citizens contribute to the common good on the assumption that the State will ensure a minimum standard of living, the provision of essential social services and infrastructure, and the protection of their basic rights. The housing crisis alone suggests that the State is not holding up its end of the bargain – as do child poverty rates. Difficulties accessing everything from school places and childcare to hospital beds also reflect fractures in the social contract that may have become harder to fix over time. 'You get to a situation where the deficit is substantial, and it will take a lot of investment to close the gap,' says Murphy. 'But we do need some kind of reset.' When people are delaying having children because of their housing situation, when single people's ability to own a home is 'almost off the table now' and when those who have children are 'having to jump through hoops' to ensure they receive basic services, it all points to a broken social contract, she says. The impact on wellbeing can be profound. Dr Malie Coyne : 'Young people can feel stagnant, feel shame, feel helpless' Chartered clinical psychologist and author of Love In Love Out Dr Malie Coyne. Photograph: Joe O'Shaughnessy 'We have this idea in a modern practical sense that if we stay in school, work hard, play by the rules, then society will reward us with a stable job, a home, the ability to raise a family, retire comfortably and have a say in our future,' says Dr Malie Coyne. 'But when the contract feels broken, when you try so hard, go to school, go to college, get a job, but then housing is unaffordable, jobs are not secure and hard work doesn't lead to stability, people can feel betrayed by the system and the Government.' The delayed independence that results can 'weigh heavily' on mental health and alter people's worldview. 'If young people are unable to leave the family home despite having a good job or advanced degrees, then they can feel stagnant, feel shame, feel helpless,' says Coyne. Across age groups, people who once expected to own their own home but have now been forced to give up on that ambition can feel 'a sense of failure, even though these barriers are not of their own making'. They might 'experience grief for the life they thought they would have'. Disillusionment and anxiety can follow. Economic barometers tell us that Irish people are anxious about the future. Consumer sentiment in 2025 to date has been 'markedly more negative' than the levels recorded in 2023 and 2024, despite the strong performance of the Irish economy, according to the sentiment index published by the Irish League of Credit Unions. Core Research, which collects the sentiment data and is part of the marketing group Core, separately tracks an age group it calls the Celtic Cubs, or 39-55-year-olds, and a group it calls the Triple Resilient, now aged 26-38. The crucial difference between the two is that the younger group started to come of age after the financial crisis, meaning they entered the workforce just as employment and training opportunities dried up. They also endured the pandemic at a more formative age, while some may have absorbed the stress of parents dealing with negative equity during the property crash. Core Research's Predict 25 report, which explores hopes for the year ahead, found that the younger group were more likely to be interested in the State addressing mental health services and the provision of social and affordable housing, while there were also differences in how they viewed the role of work. Some 43 per cent of 26-38-year-olds, for instance, hope that 'mental health services are fully integrated into the healthcare system', compared with 30 per cent of 38-55-year-olds, while some 61 per cent say they are interested in 'working less, to enjoy the rest of life', compared with 53 per cent of 38-55-year-olds. If perceptions about work are indeed shifting, it is hard to disentangle that from younger generations' awareness that making the traditionally 'right' choices is no longer any guarantee of life progression as it was once imagined. When the maths become impossible, and people know their earnings – current and future – are too low to allow them to get a mortgage or even comfortably pay rent, that alters the rewards work can offer, and the sense of purpose it gives people, too. Challenges to our sense of self can 'lead to a re-evaluation of what it means to be successful in life', says Dr Coyne. 'Parents do face a dilemma about how to motivate their kids to pursue their education and careers when maybe the social contract isn't as certain. The key is to emphasise the intrinsic value of learning, learning for the sake of learning, personal development for the sake of personal development,' she says. 'It's also important for parents to validate their kids' concerns and not dismiss them, not dismiss the reality. We need to help them stay hopeful and proactive as well.' Despite everything that is thrown at them, younger generations display 'amazing creativity and resilience', she says. Suzanne Feeney : 'Both employees and employers are feeling it' Country manager at recruitment firm Robert Walters Ireland 'In recent years, the younger cohort have been really affected by there not being the same number of opportunities when they come out of college,' says Feeney. Robert Walters Ireland's recent survey found that some 68 per cent of Irish employers had noticed a decline in employee morale, with only a quarter of Irish professionals saying they found their roles fulfilling. 'There's definitely something there. Both employees and employers are feeling it,' says Feeney. Employers need to understand, firstly, that younger workers are suffering the brunt of the housing crisis, while if employers want a 'purpose reset', she says, it is vital they allow opportunities for staff to progress. Finian Murphy : 'People are investing in friendships and families' Marketing director at Core Finian Murphy of Core There is an 'optimism gap' between persistent scepticism about systemic reforms and a desire among many to seek out hopeful news and embrace new ideas, according to Core. Younger generations' coping tactics include a greater focus on wellness, social activism and relationships, says Finian Murphy, marketing director at Core. 'People are investing in friendships and families, even in the likes of getting a good night's sleep. These are all things that are within our own control.' - Laura Slattery
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
Dundalk IT and Maynooth University launch new partnership
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Maynooth University (MU) have launched a new partnership with the aim of advancing higher education in the region. The Regional Graduate Academy (RGA) will see PhD students being taught and supervised in Dundalk but being awarded their PhD by the university. Students will be jointly registered in both DkIT and MU and undertake a structured PhD programme. The PhD programmes currently on offer fall into six disciplinary areas: computer science; biology; environmental science; electronic engineering (renewables); applied social sciences; and media studies. There are 16 post-graduate students enrolled in the first year of the MU-DkIT RGA. This number is expected to grow over the coming years, particularly following recent successful funding applications. The launch of the RGA marks the first milestone in the strategic collaboration between DkIT and MU after both third-level institutes signed a letter of intent in June of last year. Those involved have said the initiative aims to identify new ways the two institutes can collaborate for the benefit of students, academic staff and the wider community. In addition to the establishment of the RGA, DkIT and MU have said they developing collaborations in other areas, including research and innovation, student experience initiatives, and the potential provision of MU awards to DkIT Level 8 and 9 students. 'New kind of partnership' Maynooth University President Professor Eeva Leinonen said the MU-DkIT RGA represents a new kind of partnership between third-level institutes. Prof Leinonen said: "DkIT is a natural partner for Maynooth University, with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to regional impact and research excellence. "Together, we are building a collaborative model of doctoral education that is rooted in place, shaped by purpose, and driven by ambition - delivering real benefits for our students, our communities, and the broader research ecosystem." Meanwhile, Dr Diarmuid O'Callaghan, President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, said: "Our first cohort of students are already making their marks on the research landscape. "This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for each institution to showcase its individual strengths and explore together how we can strategically develop to serve our regions. "Through our shared values, unique offerings and collective commitment to regional partnership and collaboration, I have high aspirations for the future opportunities it will bring for our students, enterprise and everyone in the shared region," Dr O'Callaghan added. Dr Alan Wall, the CEO of the Higher Education Authority, said the body is committed to supporting the strategic development of higher education institutions. He said: "Provision was made in the Technological Sector Advancement Fund (TSAF) for institutions to explore strategic collaborations that are aligned with national and regional policies and priorities. "It very encouraging to see the progress made by DkIT and Maynooth University on the Regional Graduate Academy, and this initiative is an important milestone in the strategic engagement of these higher education institutions. "The MU-DkIT Regional Graduate Academy is a tangible example of how collaboration can enhance Ireland's higher education and research system locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally," Dr Wall said. Meanwhile, speaking at the launch event this morning, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless said the RGA marks a new and significant phase of collaboration between two "strong" institutions. He said: "This partnership is to be commended. It reflects a shared commitment to building research capacity, strengthening ties with enterprise, and supporting the development of local communities, while enhancing the national research and innovation ecosystem. "I welcome that this initiative has been supported by my Department through the HEA and the Technological Sector Advancement Fund. It demonstrates what can be achieved when we invest in talent, partnership, and regional development," the minster added.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Ensuring climate action and clean technologies are accessible and fair
The Feminist Communities for Climate Justice project is a joint initiative of Community Work Ireland and the National Women's Council of Ireland, which seeks to promote both sustainability and fairness in climate change policy. We have built a national network of more than 140 groups and individuals to highlight climate policies that put people and planet first: that can be transformative in creating a fairer, cleaner, more sustainable future in which all women, communities, workers and countries are lifted by climate action. To date, we have collaborated with Maynooth University to develop a certificate in Community Work for a Changing Ireland for community workers and activists, and published a baseline report into Feminist Climate Justice covering six thematic areas covering care, housing, transport, food, health and a just transition. We have four active working groups and in the next phase of the project we will be rolling out a new campaign to broaden out the public discussion of what climate action looks like, and how healthy communities need to be central to the climate policies of government. Our research has found that women and marginalised communities in Ireland are more vulnerable to climate change impacts. And that poorly-designed climate policies that fail to correct underlying inequalities only continue to exclude and marginalise these communities further. For example, low-income communities in both urban and rural areas often experience a higher pollution burden due to the prohibitive cost of replacing fossil fuel-based heating systems like peat, coal, oil and gas with heat pumps and insulation. Petrol and diesel cars are often the only option in rural areas that are not served well by public transport and for people with disabilities or caring roles. If clean technologies are prohibitively expensive and grants are targeted at those with higher incomes, the people who often need them the most cannot benefit from them. Socially just climate action also means delivering energy policies that support those who struggle the most with rising energy costs. This should ideally mean locally-owned renewable energy resources that deliver tangible benefits directly to the communities that host them. Members of Feminist Communities for Climate Justice: "It is vital that the voices of marginalised communities are heard in climate policy decision-making." In Ireland, the idea that women will be affected more than men by the climate crisis may not be obvious at first. We live in a country that claims to support equality for women. However, the reality is that women are, on average, poorer than men. They therefore have fewer resources to counter the impact of the crisis and invest in alternative, more sustainable products and solutions. Almost half of lone parents — mostly women — live in deprivation and private rented accommodation, struggling to pay rising energy costs and without access to retrofitting schemes. Unequal impacts Sunshine is always welcome, however highest temperature records for April were broken at 17 weather stations across Ireland — a further sign that Ireland is not immune to the phenomenon of global heating. In fact, 2024 was the first year that the Earth crossed the 1.5°C global warming threshold. Storm Éowyn and recent floods are a stark reminder of Ireland's vulnerabilities. Across Europe, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and flooding are putting a strain on people's health, livelihoods and public infrastructure. While Ireland's average temperatures have increased in line with climate models, we don't particularly notice the slow creep of global heating ourselves, especially during summers when it seems like the sun barely shines at all. Yet subtle changes in the climate system will likely lead to more dramatic consequences over time: more extreme rainfall, more drought, more flooding. The 2023 synthesis report of the Irish Climate Change Assessment notes that the consequences of global heating for Ireland are likely to be profound, with more extreme weather events likely to become more frequent and more intense. But what we often fail to recognise is the way that climate change — along with policies designed to manage and prevent climate change — often has unequal impacts. While extreme weather and policy measures will affect everyone, whether directly or indirectly, some people and communities are much more vulnerable than others. Many other social groups are challenged by climate action policies because of their identities, for example the Traveller community, migrants or people who are dependent on jobs and sectors that are carbon intensive. We need to carefully design climate policies and investments to ensure we are responding to the needs of communities on the ground, and not to just seek the least-cost emission reductions. As a first step, the Government should collect detailed data on gender, disability and ethnicity to aid in gender, poverty and equality-proofing climate policies. It is also vital that the voices of marginalised communities are heard in climate policy decision-making. Care work is another example of how climate and gender intersect. Most care work is carried out by women and this changes the way energy and transport services are used. A study carried out by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in 2020 called 'Travelling in a Woman's Shoes' found that women rely heavily on cars to carry out caring journeys, with 95% of women outside of Dublin and 79% of women inside Dublin seeing cars as necessities. Sustainable mobility for all means putting the needs of people with disabilities and children first in the planning process and ensuring that public transport is both safe and accessible, with timetables that cater to a variety of needs beyond the typical work-home commute. By failing to consider the lived reality of women, current climate policies are making the lives of many harder. Climate action that is only available to those who own their own homes, or who can afford to purchase an electric vehicle is more like business-as-usual than the transformation towards sustainability and equality we need. If the Government is serious about climate action it will seek to align Ireland's economic and taxation policies with those that are compatible with planetary boundaries and a safe and equal future for all. As women, community workers and feminists, we are ready to lead. We believe that actions to reduce Ireland's climate impact and its disproportionate effects on marginalised communities and those living in poverty requires a strong focus on community work. Community development strengthens the consciousness, capacity and confidence of local communities to act on climate change issues. But communities will only be able to do this if the Government shows real leadership and puts the voices of those most impacted by climate change at the centre of decision making. Sadhbh O'Neill is the project lead for the National Women's Council of Ireland and Community Work Ireland project Feminist Communities for Climate Justice, funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications under the Community Climate Action Programme: Climate Education, Capacity Building and Learning by Doing (Strand 2). Read More Why sustainability in Ireland demands more than goodwill
