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Community Development, Policy Change and Austerity in Ireland

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Community Practice and Social Development in Social Work

Part of the book series: Social Work ((SOWO))

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Abstract

In its long history in Ireland, community development has undergone a number of significant shifts or changes. Traditionally a voluntary activity, since the 1970s Irish community development has increasingly come under the purview of the state as state funding and oversight of the community and voluntary sector (CVS) has increased. This has created both opportunities and challenges for the sector, which expanded considerably from the 1970s but experienced significant cutbacks after the economic crisis of 2008. Recent policy developments affecting the sector have also had implications for its governance and autonomy.

This chapter starts by exploring the recent history of community development in Ireland and positions community development within the context of the community and voluntary sector. It proceeds to explore the effects of neoliberalism, changing state policy and, post-2008, austerity on community development and social work activity. In particular, it considers the challenges that these developments present for community development goals, governance, independence, and campaigning and advocacy. Comparisons are drawn with other countries where similar patterns are evident. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of these developments for contemporary community development practice in Ireland and the potential for challenge and change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Catherine Forde

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  1. Catherine Forde
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Correspondence to Catherine Forde .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Sarah Todd

  2. University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Julie Drolet

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Forde, C. (2020). Community Development, Policy Change and Austerity in Ireland. In: Todd, S., Drolet, J. (eds) Community Practice and Social Development in Social Work. Social Work. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1542-8_18-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1542-8_18-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-1542-8

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