The Ideas Campaign - sample of ideas received since campaign launch
Here is a selection of the ideas that have been pouring into the Ideas Campaign website. Please note that some have been edited, for space or clarity, for publication here. An idea’s inclusion on the website does not indicate it will be included in our final action plan for the Government.
Construction
Extend any planning permissions that have expired since mid-2008. Each of these permissions would be granted an automatic 3 - 5 year extension. As part of an economic recovery, projects which have had permission granted would be able to get off the ground quicker and help get the economy and the construction industry working again.
This would not cost the taxpayer or the Exchequer any money because it is a cost free directive and could be put in place immediately.
Construction
Offset some of the cost of home improvements and maintenance against tax. This would help stimulate employment for builders and trades people, and stall the development of a black economy.
Construction
Why don’t we introduce something like a national housing test along the lines of the NCT? This test could include basic checks like gas boilers, chimneys, roofing, fire escapes, electrical equipment etc.
There would be a basic fee per house check and any work required could be grant-aided/subsidised by the state. This idea would make our homes safer and create employment.
Education
I am currently working in the unemployment services and we have seen a huge increase in people accessing the service in recent months. A lot of clients are interested in, and want to retrain but waiting lists for courses are huge and the next intake for most VEC courses is September.
It would facilitate retraining enormously if schools and colleges were available throughout the summer so people can re-enter education.
Also, flexibility in terms of part time, evening/ weekend and modular programmes would facilitate returning to education especially for clients who are reluctant to forsake their job seeking for full-time education.
Green businesses
Consumers are increasingly preoccupied with the culture of celebrity and its association with the marketing of products and services. Ireland needs to latch on to our home grown international talent/celebrates (celebrities from our Diaspora are also welcome) to globally sell a new dynamic ‘GREEN’ Irish brand for innovative endeavours.
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, we could have an internationally televised “World Green Awards” from Dublin, celebrating all that is best about our new dynamic GREEN brand. The awards would obviously have a strong emphasis on the environment and include international green awards.
Our Irish celebrities would be on hand to present awards, make speeches, and generally be advocates for global green issues. It would be a fabulous opportunity to spotlight Ireland on our national day, and would be a valuable ingredient in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival.
Green Business
My idea is to start rainwater harvesting in schools and public buildings being charged for water, starting in January 2010. Rainwater is collected from rainwater downpipes and pumped with small solar motor to a pressure vessel which maintains a pressurized supply to your attic tank or directly to the taps. The pressure vessel can be held inside school or plant building. ALL the cold taps in the school remain plumbed to the mains as rainwater is NOT drinkable.
Rain water can be used for all other functions including toilet flushing. During a dry period, mains water can be redirected to top up the water supply. When you recycle rainwater you:
- Save money on water charges
- Eliminate need for a water softener
- Guarantee an environmentally friendly, guaranteed supply of soft water
I have not done a costing for installation or equipment needed but I have done a similar costing for my own home coming in at under €700, so if the 2000+ schools in the country were to embrace this idea we can all see the savings. The savings achieved could help keep the valued special needs assistants - and plumbers - in jobs.
Innovation
I live in Ireland, but work for several foreign client companies because the software management/ measurement service we provide is virtually unused by Government departments, agencies etc in Ireland.
When a Government software development contract is priced, it needs to be assessed for size, whether the price is too high, if the project can be delivered on time and budget and whether it is adequately described.
Government departments etc need advice on how to measure performance against contract commitments, and how to manage ’scope creep’. It doesn’t require much time or investment to establish if a project is a ‘mouse’ or ‘elephant’ (white or otherwise).
As independent assessors, and temporary players in the contract arena, software measurement specialists are independent of both parties, so have no axe to grind and need not cost much, compared with project cost, and the cost of taking on too much.
The UK Government and Australian State of Victoria use software management/measurement systems to control costs.
Innovation
To encourage more IT start-up companies, the government should encourage wifi internet connectivity in all cafes, delis etc by way of a once- off small grant to encourage installation.
This would encourage more IT use and social interaction among young people - the ingredients company founders such as those behind Facebook, Google, etc consider essential for innovation. It wouldn’t cost a huge amount to implement, but could have a massive impact in years to come.
Innovation
Develop state assisted micro-clusters. These are locations where firms from the same sector come together to compete for large contracts - ones they ordinarily would not be able to achieve.
These business micro-clusters provide economies of scale on services and overheads and also make access to new technology easier through cooperation. I’ve just finished a doctorate in the area and concluded firms can achieve over twice the industry norm in profits through such ventures.
Policy
There remain two systems of land registration in Ireland. From 1972 to 2006 there were only three counties in Ireland where it was compulsory to register title in the Land Registry as opposed to the Registry of Deeds.
Now, 12 counties are areas of compulsory registration. The Property Registration Authority (PRA) states on its website that: “land constitutes a major share of the wealth of a nation - it concerns individuals, businesses, institutions and public bodies”. The advantages of registration in the Land Registry include:
- Fast, efficient, on- line conveyancing
- State guaranteed title
- Electronic access to details of ownership etc
The PRA is ideally positioned to commence a nationwide campaign to register the entire State in the Land Registry. The resources that had been deployed in the Land Registry to register new- build houses at the height of the property boom could be redeployed on a title registration initiative.
As well as providing employment to engineers and solicitors (for minimal fees!), the initiative would make the State a more efficient economy. With minimal advertising, the initiative could be branded “Let’s get Ireland Registered!”
Policy
I am a solicitor of over forty years standing and have extensive experience in the property world and commercial business. As it is widely accepted that unfettered property development and construction contributed to the difficulties that Ireland finds itself in, I have the following suggestions to make:
- Place a moratorium on all Greenfield development for 10 years.
- All future development will be carried out within the boundaries of existing cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland. (There will be exceptions for one-off private housing for family needs.)
- All vacant sites within the existing cities, towns and villages will be utilised to their full extent
The strategy can be revised in 10 years to see how it has worked in the previous period. If there are urgent exceptional developments of a national nature, then these could be approved and overseen by an independent board, such as An Bord Pleanala, which would be allowed to break this moratorium.
This proposal would enhance the value of land and property within these designated areas. This would be of great benefit to the lending institutions because, in effect, it freezes the market and brings stability to land and property prices.
(This idea is very long and detailed and has had to be edited for space reasons.)
Policy
As a HSE employee I see and hear examples of waste and inefficiencies all over the organisation. I think it would be a good idea to expand this campaign to seek ideas from HSE staff on how to reduce inefficiencies (sensible, simple ideas, not ones that cost money to implement).
For example, an email arrived the other day announcing that HSE mobile phone users could no longer ring directory enquiries from their mobiles as this was costing thousands of euros every year - what a simple idea.
Policy
Increase the fines paid for Tax Evasion. The current fines being issued by Irish Courts are so small that they in no way deter the black economy. Fines for offences like using agricultural diesel for non-agricultural purposes or importing alcohol or cigarettes could be regarded as no more than a ‘business expense’. The current fines don’t even cover the court costs involved.
Policy
The Spanish health service saves a fortune by using generic drugs at a fraction of the cost of branded drugs. We spend €1.8billion on branded drugs in this country. In Spain, Poland etc they use ‘drunk tanks’ people under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are taken to specialised units where they are treated or allowed to sleep off their symptoms there is tight security.
The individual is charged around €100 for the privilege of getting into such a state. A similar approach here would take pressure off ordinary A&E units around the country, enabling them to treat those who are really sick.
Retail
I suggest that we introduce a Courtesy Charter for Business. The Courtesy Charter would be a declaration of values and principles such as paying invoices on time, fair employment, green environment, social conscience etc. Businesses would display the Courtesy Charter logo to show that they are signed up to the Charter.
Technology
The state should fund/subsidise public telecommute centres at key transport and broadband hubs in Ireland. These centres would allow workers reduce the number of commuter journeys and also help distribute jobs more evenly throughout the state.
When this idea is raised, people often ask: “Why can’t’ people telecommute from home?” The answers are:
- Many people find it difficult to be disciplined enough to work effectively at home
- People like to separate their home lives from their work lives
- There may be young children at home
- People need the social contact of a workplace
Telecommute centres already work to some extent within organisations like the HSE and eircom. But there are no public telecommute centres yet in Ireland where workers can book space to work. These centres should provide:
- A place for a worker to connect a laptop to a quick and secure Internet connection Instructions for workers and employers showing them how to establish VPN sessions and VOIP calls with their workplaces
- Heating, toilet and parking facilities
- Perhaps a privately franchised canteen facility if the location is out of town.
Technology
Teach small businesses how to use open source software where possible, saving them money on software licensing. For example, open office is free but licensing a copy of a well known piece of office software
Tourism
Tourism is as good as an export! My idea would help make Ireland the land of a 1,000 savings as well as the land of a 1,000 welcomes.
Reduce/eliminate VAT and excise duties on beers and wines and be as competitive as Spain, Italy or Portugal and confine the maximum reduction to restaurants.
This would reduce cross border shopping significantly, and stimulate socialising with food/drink - reducing binge drinking and this labour intensive industry
This idea would help drive year round tourism as we would have the cheapest flights, the lowest bed costs, and, at last the lowest socialising costs.
Tourism
More than 80 million people globally claim to have Irish ancestry and my idea is that we launch an international tourist campaign: ‘Trace Your Irish Ancestry’.
Employ a number of specialist or students of history and create a full package whereby a person can register online as much information as they have about their ancestors, send it to, Trace Your Irish Ancestry.ie.
They in turn arrange a customised package to include, flights, hotels etc where you can travel to Ireland and visit the village etc where your great grandmother was born while of course you enjoy a traditional Irish holiday.
It must be affordable, unique and a complete package to be successful
Tags: ideas, Ideas Campaign
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