People and Participation

2016 PPN Annual Report

The first comprehensive review of the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) has been published. It shows that the 31 PPNs had nearly 12,000 member groups in 2016, and contributed to local policy and decision making, built local capacity and shared information on building stronger communities. Social Justice Ireland has been a long term supporter of the PPNs as key to the local democracy and bringing decision making closer to the people who are effected by those decisions.

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins addresses our Social Policy Conference

Social Justice Ireland were honoured to have President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins deliver the key note address at our 30th Annual Social Policy Conference. Click here to watch the video of his presentation, or download his paper, entitled On The Discourse That We Need.

See the Videos and Papers from our 30th Annual Social Policy Conference

This year's conference featured an excellent and diverse line-up of speakers from Spain, Italy, Germany, the USA, and Ireland. The key note address was delivered by President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. Click in to download papers from the conference, watch the presentations, see our handy summary graphics, or download the entire conference booklet for free.

National Social Monitor 2017

The National Social Monitor is Social Justice Ireland’s annual contribution to the public debate that is needed on Ireland’s future and how Ireland is performing in terms of promoting the wellbeing of all in society. It examines progress in areas such as housing, healthcare, education, employment, rural development and the environment among others.

Comments to EESC Consultation on Future of Europe, Dublin June 7, 2017

Ireland needs a new and radical social contract

Ireland’s social contract is broken.  The legitimate expectations of citizens are not being met.  This is most obvious in areas such as housing and homelessness, a two-tier healthcare system, an ongoing failure to provide rural broadband and high levels of poverty and social exclusion, especially among children. 2017 is the first year of a new century for Ireland and now is the perfect opportunity to develop a new and radical social contract for Ireland’s second century. 

A New Social Contract for a New Century - Executive Summary

The executive summary of Social Justice Ireland's Socio-Economic Review 2017 'A New Social Contract for a New Century' is available below.

Citizenship and Basic Income

This paper explores citizenship and basic income.

Citizenship and Basic Income

Anthony Painter presents his paper ‘Citizenship and Basic Income?’ at the Social Policy Conference 2016.

Participation and communities

A brief snapshot on how Ireland is performing in terms of promoting participation at local level and some policy proposals.