Youth Work Ireland Tipperary in collaboration with Tipperary Town Revitalisation was successful at the What Works 2023 funding call (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) to carry out a Tipperary Town Children and Family Services Systems Mapping Analysis research study, to the amount of €48,000. The research study was commissioned to TASC (Think-tank for Action and Social Change) by Youth Work Ireland Tipperary and led by Tipperary Town Revitalisation. A research committee was set up to guide and support the one-year research process, which included Tipperary Town Revitalisation, Youth Work Ireland Tipperary, Tasc and Tusla. The authors of the research study are Dr. Adeelia Goffe, Dr. Sara Singleton, and Maria Pachowicz, and the report was launched in July 2025.
Tipperary Town services for children, young people and families, and collaborative work has historically been strong. Despite this, the levels of deprivation in certain geographical areas of the town are historically extremely high. Key to tackling inter-generational deprivation is to focus on further strengthening service provision for children, young people, and families. The Tipperary Town would ideally aim to achieve service provisions similar to those developed in local authority housing regeneration programmes in Limerick, Cork and Dublin cities.
The TASC researchers concluded through this study following consultation with an array of local stakeholders, including children, young adults, families and service providers that: “there were significant challenges in service provision, particularly for vulnerable children and families in the region. There is a pronounced shortage of essential services, including mental health and addiction services, childcare facilities, and disability support, which is compounded by long waiting lists, insufficient transport, and geographical barriers. Access to care is further hindered by limited local resources and a lack of coordinated service delivery. Additionally, there is an urgent need for greater flexibility in service provision to better meet the diverse and evolving needs of children, youth, and families in rural settings.”
To alleviate the challenges faced, the report recommends both state-level and local level interventions:
State-Level/Policy Recommendations:
1. Advocate for Increase Funding and Flexible Support for Local Services
2. Establish School Transport and Breakfast Programmes
3. Support Fund for Parent Peer Support Groups
4. Improve Access to Mental Health and Healthcare Services
5. Address Staffing Shortages in Key Service Areas
6. Coordinate Support for Families on Waitlists
7. Develop a Holistic Approach to Child and Family Services
8. Support Youth Programs and Life Skills Training
9. Flexible Funding Structures for Services
10. National Solutions for Rural Towns
Local-Level Recommendations:
1. Develop Inclusive Youth Spaces
2. Offer a Wide Range of Youth Activities
3. Increase Access to Local Health and Mental Health Services
4. Community Event Calendar and Programme Coordination
5. Develop Flexible, Multi-Use Event Spaces
6. Transportation and Accessibility Improvements
7. Health and Wellbeing Support for Young Parents
8. Strengthen Community Engagement and Participation
Tipperary Town Revitalisation and all its stakeholders are continuing its efforts to strengthen resourcing for recommendations identified in service provision in this research study, while also identifying other service provision opportunities. This research study will help support applications for key social inclusion projects and developments in Tipperary Town.
tipptownrevitalisation.ie 