Owen Ryan reports here on two upcoming events and new podcasts that will be of interest to anyone in Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.

The Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) presented its pre-budget submission to Ministers and elected representatives today, saying government policies must be matched with investment in communities

Prejudiced views often heard in public would argue that prisoners should not be entitled to an education in prison. They should be doing forced labour, some would say. I disagree. I visited Limerick Prison recently and saw the difference it is making.

Anita Dooley is employed by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board as the head teacher in Limerick Prison and I am grateful to her for recently inviting Changing Ireland to visit Limerick prison. Here's how it went.

Two professional jockeys and two teenage showjumpers who have set records in the equestrian world – all from Limerick - have received special awards from Moyross Youth Academy (MYA).

Near FM, probably the country's best established community radio station, covering Northside Dublin, today interviewed Changing Ireland editor Allen Meagher. You can listen back to the show here.

Father Michael Mernagh laughs gently when he recalls being taken into custody well over 30 years ago: “We were arrested out in Firhouse, for supporting a Traveller family. We went out to support the family, a number of priests and nuns, and we were arrested by the Gardai,” he remembers. It must have been a bizarre scene, as the Gardai came to take away the religious folk, who were looking to shelter a family who were being moved on.