Research

Occasionally, the One Foundation will fund or commission research - especially when it serves to increase the knowledge base in our core funding areas, and/or where there has been a lack of research or information to date.

We commission independent researchers to carry out this work on our behalf and then make it available on our website.

Please note: we do not accept applications for funding of research.

Research commissioned by the One Foundation includes:

Report: Separated children in Ireland - Needs assessment report

Report to the One Foundation on Barriers to Advocacy on Children’s Rights, Immigrants’ Rights and Mental Health

The Minority Children Fund is a one-year, once-off, grant scheme to support the inclusion of minority children in the activities and services of youth and sports organisations. The concept of a Minority Children Fund was developed by The One Foundation during 2007 against a background of substantial immigration into Ireland in recent years. This evaluation aims to assess if the work undertaken through the Minority Children Fund achieved the aspirations set out in the funding application, to draw out the lessons from this work and to inform policy and practice on how to include minority children.

Report: Evaluation Report on the Minority Children's Fund

Inwards migration to Ireland has grown at a rapid pace, from less than 20,000 people in 1987, to just over 40,000 in 1997, to almost 110,000 in 2007. 1996 represented a turning point in Ireland’s demography: the transition was made from being a country of net emigration to a country of net immigration. This report was prepared for the One Foundation to present a snapshot of the ‘New Communities’ Sector in Ireland at the current time. New Communities refers to all those non-Irish people who have come to live in Ireland in recent years, for economic, educational, or protection reasons.   

Educational disadvantage is a significant problem at all levels of the education system and is influenced by the characteristics of families, schools, neighbourhoods and by broader public policies. There is a substantial amount of activity which is endeavouring to address educational disadvantage in Ireland. However, relatively little is known about what works, and this suggests that projects with the potential to produce lessons about effectiveness would be particularly worth considering.  Outlined are a selection of project ideas which address educational disadvantage from which lessons may be learned about effective ways of doing this work.

Family policy in Ireland is examined highlighting the substantial amount of service activity which are currently supporting families and, at the same time, the general awareness that significant gaps exist in services. Consequently, Mckeown and Clarke outline a selection of project ideas which might be used to fill some of these gaps, particularly with regard to supporting parents. These are based on a consideration of the statutory initiatives in place, some broadly focussed voluntary organisations and voluntary activity at local level. 

The prevalence of mental illness can be difficult to measure accurately and estimates often rely on the numbers using services, a notoriously risky method of assessment because the people who use services are often not truly reflective of the total population for whom the particular was designed.  This is particularly the case with male mental illness because of the well-documented reluctance of men to use health services for either physical or mental illness.  Discussed is how the mental health needs of men are generally understood and how services have responded to them, drawing particularly on developments within Ireland. Identified are some of the key challenges in this area by highlighting some of the gaps in services and some of the opportunities which these offer.

The needs of new people hoping to settle in Ireland, and how these are responded to, provides the context in which racism in Ireland can be considered and one in which to identify opportunities where funding could make an important difference. This research considers the patterns of migration to Ireland and the likely future trends with reference to the particular groups of people who are choosing Ireland as a country in which to make a new life. Furthermore, this research explores what is known about racism in Ireland, and the initiatives currently being undertaken to combat racism are set out.

The National Children’s Strategy presents an opportunity to enhance the status and further improve the quality of life of Ireland’s Children. This report explores a number of areas; Firstly, what the key areas indicated under the National Children’s Strategy are. Secondly, does the strategy forecast the planned level of spend to these areas? Thirdly, if the NCS does not forecast planned spend is, it possible to identify planned spend? Finally, is it possible to forecast planned government expenditure in the area with accuracy from existing reports?

Vietnam over the last 10 - 15 years has made enormous gains in poverty reduction. Most people have benefited from high economic growth rates. However, overall it is still a relatively poor country in terms of per capita income and the gap between the poorest and the majority of the population is widening. This report provides an overview on poverty and development in Vietnam. Identified are areas where the Trust can maximise impact within Vietnam. Additionally, recommendations are provided on the next steps for Programme Implementation.