An action plan based on ideas proposed by citizens for Irish economic and social renewal has been published today (Thursday 14 May) by the Ideas Campaign, the independent, non-political citizens’ initiative.

The plan includes a list of priority actions which, in the view of the campaign’s Advisory Group, merit consideration by Government and groups (social, voluntary and business) as well as individuals.  The Group believes that the plan includes many strong ideas which, if further validated, could make a difference to Ireland, both socially and economically.

Among those ideas are:

• The creation of a new Volunteer Corps to engage the unemployed in community and voluntary work in Ireland and overseas, without loss of unemployment benefits
• A scheme which would offer discounts to companies and individuals who pay their taxes in advance which would provide revenue to government at lower than borrowing costs
• A proposal to replace pre-fabricated classroom buildings with permanent structures funded by local communities at no net cost to the State
• The extension of planning permission under certain conditions to stimulate construction activity

A total of 44 ideas is included in the plan and these were selected by the Group as having the greatest social and economic value and being relatively easily implemented.  The shortlist covers ideas submitted by many hundreds of contributors, a great number of whom submitted ideas on common themes.  The Group believes that many more of the almost 5,300 ideas received, and most of which are published in summary form on the campaign website, also deserve to be considered.

Aileen O’Toole, Campaign Director, said: “The enormous response we received to this campaign, and the quality of the ideas received, shows that citizens are creative and resourceful.  They also welcomed the debate which this campaign helped stimulate on the need to focus on solutions to Ireland’s economic problems.”

The Ideas Campaign has briefed An Taoiseach Brian Cowen on the campaign and will be circulating the plan to all political parties, as well as groups, companies and other interested parties.  “While Government has to set the policy agenda, the Advisory Group believes that this plan is also for groups and individuals, who can take leadership in furthering economic renewal and recovery,” Aileen O’Toole added.

The full report can be seen at www.IdeasCampaign.ie

About the Ideas Campaign

The aim of the Ideas Campaign’s was to seek citizens’ ideas for Irish economic recovery and renewal. It set a challenge to people in Ireland to be innovative and creative and to play their part in planning this country’s economic recovery.

Launched on 5 March, the ideas submission phase lasted until 31 March, during which time 5,284 ideas were logged on the Ideas Campaign website.  During Phase 2 the ideas were reviewed, analysed and shortlisted into an action plan for Government, groups and individuals.

We asked people to draw from their own experiences to identify how Ireland can emerge from this recession and, particularly, compete on the world stage and earn export revenues.

An Advisory Group was set up to provide strategic advice to the campaign and help shape the action plan.  The Advisory Group includes representatives from business, policy, academia, economics, the arts and the voluntary sector.  The members are;

• Patrick Collison, technology entrepreneur and founder of Auctomatic
• Moya Doherty, Producer of Riverdance, the world-acclaimed theatrical phenomenon
• Sean Gallagher, Chief Executive, Smarthomes (and Dragons’ Den judge)
• Frank Gormley, Chair, Howard Eurocape and Founder St. Patrick’s Trust
• Alan Gray, Economist, Indecon
• Paul Mooney, President, National College of Ireland
• Kieran McGowan, former Chief Executive of the IDA
• Ian McShane, Chief Executive, Behaviour & Attitudes
• Paul Rellis, Chief Executive, Microsoft Ireland
• Tina Roche, Chief Executive, Business in the Community
• Don Thornhill, Chair, National Competitiveness Council