Applied Social Studies - Reports

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Political vetting of community work in Northern Ireland
(Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, 1990-10) Political Vetting of Community Work Working Group; Ó hÁdhmaill, Féilim; Watt, Philip
In April 1990 the Community Workers' Co-op and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action organised a very well attended, broad based conference at Queen's University to discuss issues arising from the Government's policy of political vetting and it's effect on community work. It was quite clear from the conference that the effects of political vetting were much wider than those dozen or so groups directly penalised. This is primarily a report of the conference but also includes an update of the latest victim of this policy the Irish language group Glór na nGael.
Equal citizenship for a new society? An analysis of training and employment opportunities for republican ex-prisoners in Belfast
(Coiste na nIarChimí, 2001-01) Ó hAdhmaill, Féilim
Previous research evidence appears to suggest that while they suffer from similiar socio-economic problems to the wider nationalist community, the problems for republican ex-prisoners seem to be on a greater scale. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the current obstacles facing republication ex-prisoners in training and employment and to make proposals for change.
Politically motivated former prisoner groups: community activism and conflict transformation
(Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, 2005-01) Shirlow, Peter; Graham, Brian; Ó hAdhmaill, Féilim; McEvoy, Kieran; Purvis, Dawn; European Commission
Aims and objectives: This study represents the first sustained quantitative and qualitative attempt to involve both Republicans and Loyalists in an investigation of the impact of imprisonment and the role of politically motivated former prisoners in the process of conflict transformation in Northern Ireland. The overall aim of the project is to examine the ways in which groups of former prisoners are involved in peace-building and conflict transformation work and to evaluate the constraints and impediments placed upon their activities by the effects of the imprisonment process, politically motivated release and residual criminalisation. In pursuing the evaluation of the role of politically motivated former prisoners working within and without their own communities, the research has six specific objectives: To trace the evolution and development of former prisoner groups; To evaluate the impacts of imprisonment and release on the personal lives of former prisoners; To assess the constraints imposed on former prisoners as agents of change by the residual criminalisation arising from their status; To determine the potential of the former prisoner community in challenging intra-community tensions and evaluate their potential and actual contribution to conflict transformation at the inter-community level; To compare and contrast the effectiveness of Loyalist and Republican former prisoners as agents of change within their own communities; To explore the notion of former prisoners as agents of social and communal transformation within broader political processes through grounding the knowledge and practical experience of the former prisoner community within the broader conceptual context of conflict transformation.
Migrants and higher education in Ireland
(CIT Press, 2008) Linehan, Margaret; Hogan, Eileen; Higher Education Authority
Tell me about yourself: migrant children's experiences of moving to and living in Ireland
(University College Cork, 2009-09) Ní Laoire, Caitríona; Bushin, Naomi; Carpena-Méndez, Fina; White, Allen; Sixth Framework Programme; European Commission
During the past ten years, much attention has been directed to immigration and integration issues in Ireland, but, with some notable exceptions to date, very little focusing on children or young people. In this context, the need for research and initiatives which allow migrant children’s own voices to be heard is extremely important. Our research project, Migrant Children, aimed to address these gaps and to provide children’s and young people’s perspectives on issues relating to recent immigration to Ireland. The project was centred on an investigation of children’s and young people’s experiences of immigration and integration in Irish society. The aim was to explore the social worlds of migrant children and youth in Ireland from their own perspectives.
Hearing family carers: report on research undertaken with family carers in Cork
(Carers Association Cork, 2010-10) O'Riordan, Jacqui; Ó hAdhmaill, Féilim; Duggan, Helen; College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork
This report details the findings of research undertaken with family carers in Cork during 2007 – 2008. The research was undertaken to elicit the views and experiences of family carers, and in so doing, to gain insight into their perspectives on family caring and on associated support mechanisms. It is hoped that, thereafter, policy can draw on these observations. Three key themes emerged from the research itself. These are (i) the role and position of the family carer in society, (ii) the process of family caring itself and (iii) access to and knowledge of key support services. This report, then, draws attention to the extent and dynamics of family caring, as seen through the opinions and experiences of carers located in and nearby Cork city. It has the following format. In the first instance we turn our attention to a discussion of family caring in Ireland, and associated supports more generally. This includes a discussion on key issues arising in the general discourse around family caring in Ireland and internationally, in order to provide a context from which to locate the experiences of carers involved in this research study. Thereafter, we detail the methodology employed in this research study, which followed a method of research enquiry that values the input of participants from the early stages of research focus and design, and which incorporates qualitative and quantitative methods of enquiry. The research was conceptualised and developed in conjunction with The Carers Association, Cork in keeping with an approach to social research that attempts to link academic and activist/advocacy interests. Its aims were to identify issues that family carers in the locality considered important, with a view to contributing to local knowledge, providing a forum for ongoing research, and to informing policy developments on carers. The focus of the report then turns to profiling carers who participated in the research, examining the care they provide, and discussing support they receive from family, friends and neighbours – from informal sources. We then look to the access carers have to formal and public, community-based support services. We examine their experiences of, and concerns with regard to some of these key services, and look at ways that such issues might be addressed. The next section concentrates on financial supports, a range of which are available to carers, for instance, to supplement income and to assist with home renovations. We look at their uptake and issues arising, again with a view to understanding and addressing them from the perspectives of the service users. Finally, the report turns its attention to aspirations that carers have for themselves; in terms of their own personal, training, and employment options. The report concludes by drawing attention to key issues discussed throughout and makes a number of key recommendations, aimed at addressing the voiced opinions and experiences of carers that have emerged through the research.
Access to justice for people with disabilities as victims of crime in Ireland
(National Disability Authority, 2012-02) Edwards, Claire; Harold, Gillian; Kilcommins, Shane
International literature recognises that people with disabilities are at greater risk of crime than their able-bodied counterparts, but that crime against people with disabilities is significantly under-reported and often fails to proceed to prosecution. However, little is known in the Irish context about how the criminal justice system responds to the needs of people with disabilities as victims of crime. This study aims to: Explore the barriers that people with disabilities who report a crime face in accessing the criminal justice system in Ireland and internationally; Compare the legislative tools and frameworks across different jurisdictions which seek to protect the rights of people with disabilities who report crime and abuse; Analyse the specific policies and practices that agencies of the criminal justice system have in place to facilitate people with disabilities’ access to justice; Explore national and international innovations which may contribute to strengthening the way in which the Irish criminal justice system responds to the needs of people with disabilities. The study addresses these aims through an international literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with key agencies in the Irish criminal justice system.
Findings from a needs assessment conducted with street sex workers in the London borough of Newham between February and April 2013
(Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 2013-05-17) MacQuarie, Julius-Cezar; Perry, Georgina
Between February and April 2013, Open Doors (clinical, case management and outreach service for sex workers in East London) undertook a commission from the Newham Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to conduct an assessment into the needs of Street Sex Workers in the borough (Perry, 2013). The initiative was commissioned in order to understand the scope and types of issues facing at-street women sex workers (and their male partners) in Newham borough of London. The documentation and analysis of outcomes from case management interventions served to provide the stakeholders with partnership pathways and protocols negotiated with key service providers in the Newham borough. A mixed method approach was used to collect qualitative and quantitative information. By building on quantitative findings with rich narratives, the assessment elicits a nuanced understanding of the diversity of needs within the Street Sex Work population in Newham.
Hearing family carers: ‘Going from bad to worse’
(School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, 2014) O'Riordan, Jacqui; Ó hAdhmaill, Féilim; University College Cork
This report provides an update to research conducted in 2008 on the experiences and access to supports available to family carers in Cork and published as Hearing Family Carers (O’Riordan, O’hAdhmaill and Duggan 2010). It includes additional research carried out in 2013 with some of the original participants who partook in the earlier research. Given the more recent changes in supports in the context of austerity measures it was considered necessary to consult carers again with reference to their more current experiences, supports and the challenges they face in their informal caring roles.
Community based research: an introductory guide for higher education staff
(Campus Engage/Irish Universities Association, 2014-04) O'Mahony, Catherine; Burns, Kenneth; McDonnell, Claire; Higher Education Authority
Intersections: proceedings of the youth work and music education symposium
(School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, 2014-11-26) Hogan, Eileen; Keane, Noreen
The ‘Intersections: Youth Work and Music Education’ Symposium took place on Friday, 27th June 2014 in University College Cork. This event, held in association with the Institute of Social Sciences in the 21st Century (ISS21), was made possible thanks to funding from UCC’s Strategic Research Fund. The principle aim of this seed funding is to generate new research interests and this presented the ideal opportunity for developing collaborative relationships between youth work and music education lecturers, researchers and practitioners across the island of Ireland. This led to the formation of a new ‘Intersections’ research cluster, comprising representatives from four third-level institutions, each of which offers both youth work and music education undergraduate and/or postgraduate programmes, namely: University College Cork; National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Dundalk Institute of Technology; and, University of Ulster. This document presents some preliminary findings from primary research conducted through each of the participating institutions in their local areas. Data was also collected during the symposium, through engaging in small group discussions populated by the event’s participants. The publication and dissemination of this document was included in the original Strategic Research Fund proposal. Its intended audience includes youth workers, music educators, community-based practitioners, policy-makers and academics who are motivated and enthused by the possibilities of music-oriented youth work in Ireland and beyond.
Living with acquired brain injury
(National Disability Authority, 2014-12) Dalton, Caroline; Kingston, Anna; Martin, Anne-Marie; O'Riordan, Jacqui; Caples, Maria; Edwards, Claire
This study found that natural community supports were comprised of two distinct groupings; firstly immediate families, friends and peer support groups; secondly neighbours and local community groups such as sporting and activity- based organisations and groups. The findings of this study indicate that living with acquired brain injury involves a process where the person moves from acute high intensity health services onto rehabilitative services and then onto re-establishing independent lives. It is evident that smooth transitions and interconnectivity of services are essential in facilitating this recovery process. Instrumental to the recovery is the support of immediate family and close friends, who form people’s immediate natural support network and go a long way towards facilitating individuals in rebuilding their lives. A key finding of this study is that broader natural community supports do not appear to play as central a role in supporting individuals to live independent lives when compared to the role of family and friends. The lack of involvement of broader community groups, in many ways, prompted individuals to contact formal support services. For the majority of participants, independence is facilitated through the combination of immediate natural community supports and formal services. The role of formal support services is key to developing broader community support networks. This study found a blurred division between formal services and broader community support networks. The authors recommended that the role of formal supports services in acting as a bridge between the needs of the individual and the development of meaningful community networks, be formally recognised and further developed. Additionally, they argued that the importance of the role of broader natural community, supports such as those provided by community and sporting groups must be enhanced. Greater awareness of the issues faced by people living with acquired brain injury and its often invisible nature is necessary in this endeavour. The authors stated it is important to recognise that there are multiple issues impacting on independent living and these issues intersect, for instance with age, gender, employment, qualifications and so on. A lack of public awareness of acquired brain injury was found to be a key barrier to independent living, along with issues relating to socialising, access to employment and finances. The findings of this study reflect the complexities of living with acquired brain injury and the need for holistic support that is cognisant of the factors which impact on integration. It is vital that flexible, personalised services are developed which are fit for purpose and meet the needs of not only people with acquired brain injury but also their immediate natural community support network. Recognition of the intersection between immediate/ broader natural community supports and formal services is also key to developing the comprehensive and practical supports required to achieve an independent life. This was a qualitative study and all participants were sourced through Headway, a community based service provider for people with ABI. Data collection was divided into two stages: firstly focus groups, followed by individual interviews. Four focus groups were convened in Cork (2), Dublin (1) and Limerick (1). Each focus group was facilitated by at least two members of the research team and a total of twenty-six individuals participated in the focus groups. Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken to guide and inform the second stage of the study; the individual interviews. Ten interviews were undertaken with individuals who presented with ABI in the Cork and Limerick regions.
Children's voices in housing estate regeneration
(Government Publications, Dublin, 2015) O'Connell, Cathal; O'Sullivan, Siobhán; Byrne, Lorcan; Irish Research Council; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Ireland; University College Cork
Background: The theme of this research is children’s participation in housing estate regeneration. Estate regeneration can affect children’s lives in terms of their living conditions and environmental surroundings, and their sense of safety, belonging, place, identity and community. However, children’s voices are seldom heard in regeneration programmes. This research represents a first step in hearing the voices of children and young people and presents their views in relation to a major regeneration programme currently underway in the Knocknaheeny Housing Estate on the Northside of Cork City. Methods: The research methodology used was a rights-based approach entailing a range of qualitative and creative methods, including focus group activities and discussions, rap, photography and art. These methods ascertained children and young people’s views and experiences on what they like and do not like about their area, what they think is good and bad, and what they think should be changed. Ten focus groups involving 78 children and young people were held over the spring and summer of 2013. Key findings: Children and young people would like regeneration to achieve renewal of their area, a safer neighbourhood, a cleaner environment, a better reputation for the estate, and improved life chances and opportunities by: Enhancing community and personal safety through more effective community policing and housing management, addressing problems such as: anti-social behaviour and disruptive tenants; public drinking; drug dealing; violence and intimidation. Improving existing amenities and the local environment through: new and better quality houses; providing effective refuse collection and litter removal; maintaining green areas and open spaces; improving recreation, sports and leisure amenities; considering the impact on young people when lanes are closed in response to residents’ petitions; managing through-traffic and road safety; providing new amenities to reflect their current interests; improving bus services to the area and connectivity with the wider city. Providing educational and employment opportunities through: training, apprenticeships and employment in the regeneration programme; promoting commercial and retail investment in the local economy. They also highlight some of the disruptive impacts of regeneration in terms of: losing their homes due to demolition; re-location of families and friends to addresses outside of the estate; the associated impact on their social networks, friendships and family connections. All of the participants want to be involved in the decision-making around regeneration. The older groups, however, are more cynical about having an influence and are critical of the omission of children and young people’s voices. Conclusions and Recommendations: The research highlights the importance of actively listening to the voices of children and young people and enabling their capacity as agents to influence change. There are three main sets of recommendations arising from this research relating to: regeneration guidelines; estate management; capacity-building.
Children and young people's experiences of participation in decision-making at home, in schools and in their communities
(Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2015-06) Horgan, Deirdre; Forde, Catherine; Parkes, Aisling; Martin, Shirley; Irish Research Council
The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which children and young people, aged 7-17 and living in contemporary urban and rural Ireland, are able to participate and influence matters affecting them in their homes, schools and communities. The investigative focus of the study is shaped by Lundy’s (2007) conceptualisation of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which focuses on space, voice, audience and influence. With this in mind, the objectives of this research are: to consider the extent to which children and young people have a voice and influence in matters affecting them at home, in their school and in the community where they live; to identify the facilitators and barriers to giving children and young people a voice and influence in matters affecting them in each of these settings; to examine the type of approaches used in each setting and identify examples of good practice; to distil key messages for consideration by parents and families, teachers, schools and communities in Ireland.
Community-based learning and research agreements: an introductory guide for higher education teaching staff
(Campus Engage/Irish Universities Association, 2016-02) Burns, Kenneth; Randles, Edel; Higher Education Authority
Healthy lifestyles. Have your say: A consultation with children and young people
(Government Publications, 2016-09) Martin, Shirley; Horgan, Deirdre; Scanlon, Margaret
Learning Neighbourhoods pilot programme
(University College Cork, Centre for Adult Continuing Education, 2016-12) O'Sullivan, Siobhán; Kenny, Lorna
Cork Learning Neighbourhoods
(University College Cork, Centre for Adult Continuing Education, 2017) O'Sullivan, Siobhán; Kenny, Lorna
Oral history research at University College Cork: Past, present, and future
(University College Cork, 2017) Goek, Sara S.; Kiely, Elizabeth; University College Cork
This is a report on a research project which set out to explore the feasibility of creating a sound archive in University College Cork. It identified the number and types of oral history projects that existed in 2016 in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences (CACSSS) in UCC and it established the state of readiness of those available for digitisation and preservation in a discoverable form. It sought to use the strategic research fund awarded to preserve two existing online oral history collections to create a valuable and trusted long-term online searchable secondary research resource. It was successful in preparing one of these for deposit with the Digital Repository or Ireland (the DRI); the HEA funded Irish Women at Work Oral History Project. The digital content for this project is now available via the Digital Repository of Ireland. This report documents the process involved in identifying and selecting a suitable common platform / portal and the standardised metadata required to keep current holdings safe online and to make them accessible and searchable to scholars and civil society groups. It also presents the results of a survey conducted with CACSSS staff and postgraduate students, which indicates that there is significant interest in the university community in safely preserving and making accessible data collected in the course of research projects and in accessing data when it is made available by other researchers, particularly online. As evident in this report, until such time as a UCC or alternative institutional sound archive is established in Ireland, the DRI provides a national trusted repository for oral history and related data collected by UCC researchers and students.
Report of consultations with children on after-school care
(Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Government Publications, 2017) Horgan, Deirdre; O'Riordan, Jacqui; Martin, Shirley; O'Sullivan, Jane
There has been an increasing focus on developing policy in the area of after-school care in Ireland in the past two years. In January 2015, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs announced the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) on Future Investment in Early Years and School-age Care and Education. The purpose of this group was to identify and assess policies and future options for increasing the quality, supply and affordability of early years and school age care and education services in Ireland. In order to inform the work of the IDG, an Open Policy Debate was held with a range of stakeholders and representatives from the early years and school-aged care and education sector and online consultations were also held with the general public. Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education was published in 2015. In light of the commitment in the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015–2020 to consult with children and young people on policies and issues that affect their lives, in March 2016, a proposal was sought from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) for the provision of services to develop a report of consultations with children (age 5–12 years) on after-school care. These consultations were to be conducted by the Citizens Participation Unit of the DCYA with the aim of identifying what children like and dislike about after-school care and to identify the places where children most like to be cared for after school. Consultations were held with 177 children and young people in total comprising 81 children aged 5–7 years and 96 children aged 8–12 years from primary schools in Dublin, Dundalk, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. The research team from University College Cork: Attended all of the consultations with children on after-school care in May and June 2016; Removed, documented and analysed the data generated at each consultation; Produced a report on the process and findings of the consultations. This report provides an overview of the process and findings from these consultations with children. It analyses the data generated at the consultations and discusses the rationale, methodology and findings from consultations with children on after-school care.

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