Kathy Masterson | Changing Ireland

About The Author

The newest member of the Changing Ireland team, Kathy hails from Dublin but has been living in Co Clare for more than a decade. She has worked in regional newspapers in Limerick, Wexford, Kildare and Dublin; her work has also featured in several national newspapers and magazines. She is most proud of the fact that she has travelled to all 32 counties of Ireland, and once drove a Formula 3 racing car around Mondello.

PPN funding increase announced at 10-year anniversary gathering

Posted by Kathy Masterson | Oct 18, 2024 | Planning & Governance

From next January, each PPN will receive over €100,000 in core funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development – more than double the original allocation of €50,000 each in 2015 and an increase of almost 20% on 2024.

Unique outdoorsy project in Birr connects young people with nature, self and others

Posted by Kathy Masterson | Oct 17, 2024 | Development Work

A pilot programme held in Birr, Co Offaly last year developed innovative ways of encouraging young people to get outdoors, on what became a journey of self-discovery. The good news is, FLOW is back with a new course about to begin this November.

New ‘Social Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme’ aims to enhance services in local communities

Posted by Kathy Masterson | Oct 7, 2024 | Development Work

A new programme was launched last week aimed at enhancing the performance of organisations supported under the Community Services Programme (CSP).

Budget 2025: How the Department’s €472 million will be spent this year

Posted by Kathy Masterson | Oct 7, 2024 | Planning & Governance

A Budget package worth €472 million has been allocated to the Department of Rural and Community Development for 2025. A number of community and voluntary organisations, including Irish Rural Link were critical of the allocation, with CEO Seamus Boland saying the €472 million “pales in comparison to the amount of money available in the Budget”.

Some measures welcomed, but majority feel that Budget 2025 falls short

Posted by Kathy Masterson | Oct 4, 2024 | Planning & Governance

There was a mixed response from the community and voluntary sector to the launch of Budget 2025 this week. Some measures have been welcomed as a step in the right direction, but many organisations expressed the view that it didn’t go far enough to help those who need it most.

Author: Kathy Masterson