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LatestIt’s 2027 and we are refugees abroad – being Irish in Ukrainian shoes
The Secret Community Development Worker is alarmed to see that the Government’s warm welcome for Europeans fleeing war seems to be waning; Ukrainians are being displaced across the country, weekly payments have been reduced to €38.80, and the €800 per month Accommodation Recognition Payment (for hosts) was cut to €600. This is against the backdrop of Trump’s pro-Putin stance which is distressing for Ukrainians.
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LatestWelcome for Dara Calleary as rural, community, Gaeltacht and social protection minister
Hours before Storm Éowyn swept the country, Fianna Fail’s Dara Calleary was given responsibility for supporting communities. The Ballina native was appointed as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on January 23 by newly elected Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Inclusion
Latest200 gather to celebrate 10th year of Public Participation Networks
The sixth national Public Participation Networks (PPNs) conference was held in Limerick recently on the 10th anniversary of their establishment. Vincent Lyons, Galway County PPN, said, “There’s no doubt about it, we've come an awful long way in the ten years. I think as a result of the PPNs, groups are better informed and they can use funding opportunities better because there's more widespread delivery of information.”
Funding
Latest€7 million fund to assist thousands of community groups nationwide
€7 million in funding is to be provided to community groups under the Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme 2025.

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Senior Citizens Parliament co-ordinator Pat Mellon has solutions to rural poverty
Pat Mellon from County Wicklow grew up on the family farm in the Vale of Avoca, which he now runs, and he has firm views around poverty, which is especially harsh for older people living in rural areas. For years, he worked in rural recreation, social inclusion and social enterprise and this has equipped him well for his current role as national co-ordinator of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP). The national organisation has 200 affiliated organisations and 50,000 members advocating for the rights of older people and one of Pat’s priorities is to improve the lives for seniors living in rural areas.
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Empowerment
LatestFilm producers seek couples for A Ring and a Prayer on RTE
So, what happens when couples from different cultures and faith traditions decide to get married? Esras Films is looking at exactly that for the second series of its show A Ring and a Prayer due to be filmed this year and broadcast in 2026. Currently, it is appealing for couples, at least one of whom is not Irish, to come forward. They must be planning their wedding ceremony for this year.
Community
Latest12 things I now know about Ukrainians and their fabulous country
When I was growing up, Eastern Europe was a mysterious entity reduced to caricatures from spy movies. My knowledge about Ukraine, before the Russian invasion, was limited to Chernobyl, soccer star Andrey Shevchenko, the Klitschko brothers (boxers) and the 2014 War. The fact that the country and its people were as eclectic as those in Western Europe was lost on many of us and it has been a pleasure to get to know Ukrainians, even though we should never have had the opportunity. Here are 12 things I have learned about Ukraine and its people since February, 2022.