Summary of ideas submitted in the Services (local) category…

• Paid Time Off (PTO) - There’s no difference between holidays and sick leave - you just get a certain number of days
• Pay extra to order by phone by talking to an agent as opposed to a computer.
• Pay people for volunteer work.
• Pay the early childcare supports in coupons that can only be recouped by people who are registered child care minders.
• Perhaps a “bartering” of talents system
• Planning applications that have been approved should get their time before commencement extended by minimum of 2 years.
• Pool resources by increasing community spirit.
• Privatise health service
• Prohibit contracts that abolish competition.
• Promote a restaurant where you cook your own meal as you are taught by a professional.
• Promote after school childcare.
• Promote an Irish business by paying your utility bills.
• Promote the ‘Shop Local’ concept to boost retailers and local economies in smaller towns and villages.
• Promote use of libraries.
• Provide an increased number of affordable nursing home spaces, and ’step down’ beds.
• Public sector bodies should save all documents in electronic files as opposed to paper files.
• Public/semi-private services should be automated where appropriate.
• Raise revenue by selling personalised car registration plates.
• Recycle hospital crutches.
• Reduce hospital temperatures to save energy.
• Reduce the excise on alcohol for on-license sales while at the same time increasing the excise of alcohol in an off-licence.
• Reduce VAT on restaurant prices.
• Reignite service excellence standards in organisations.
• Remove mobile classrooms and replace with permanent structure.
• Repair the existing water treatment system through out the country.
• Review the issue of power generation
• Revive community jumble sales.
• Rotate top senior civil servants to other departments based on skill and ability
• Scrap local motor tax offices
• Set a standard PRSI contribution for all tax payers.
• Set up a taxi company staffed by women drivers.
• Set up a website that with catchy articles, tips and advice on saving and spending
• Set up community centres in vacant buildings.
• Set up co-ops for the unemployed.
• Set up driving schools.