Ballyhoura Development has published the Midpoint Evaluation Report of the Ballyhoura Breakthrough Pilot, delivered as part of the Interreg Europe CITICESS project.

The evaluation identifies an estimated €65,000 in avoided costs across six families, with a return of €6.68 for every €1 invested, demonstrating a strong early economic and social case for this innovative, family-centred approach.

Behind these figures are families who were facing crisis across multiple areas of their lives — now showing measurable signs of stability through sustained, coordinated support.

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A Different Approach to Complex Needs

The Breakthrough Pilot applies the Heerlen Breakthrough model, adapted to the Irish context through the Interreg Europe CITICESS project. It supports families experiencing overlapping challenges across housing, health, education and poverty.

At its core is a family coaching model, providing:

• High-frequency, relationship-based engagement
• Coordination across multiple services
• Ongoing advocacy and escalation
• Practical, flexible supports

This work is grounded in Charleville’s Northside Estates, where the pilot is testing how integrated, locally-led responses can better support families facing persistent disadvantage.

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Key Findings from the Midpoint Evaluation

The report highlights clear progress despite operating within highly constrained systems:

• All six families stabilised, moving away from immediate crisis
• No full resolution yet achieved, reflecting the complexity of need
• Education outcomes show the strongest improvement
• Housing remains the primary barrier to long-term progress

The findings confirm that the intervention is effective in stabilising families and coordinating services — but is limited by structural constraints.

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The Core Insight: The Model Works, the System Limits It

A central conclusion of the evaluation is that while the model is working as intended, broader system barriers are restricting outcomes.

In particular:

• Decision-making remains centralised, limiting local action
• Services are often slow to respond or fragmented
• Practitioners can coordinate support, but cannot always unlock solutions

This results in what the report describes as: “Coordination without control. Intervention without authority.”

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Strengthening the Community Response

Alongside the family coaching model, the pilot has evolved to include:

• Community-based activities
• A Community Safety Approach, funded through the Department of Justice Community Safety Fund

This reflects a more place-based approach, recognising that family outcomes are closely linked to wider community conditions.

These elements will be further assessed in the final evaluation phase.

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Looking Ahead

As the pilot moves into its second phase, the focus will be on:

• Building on stabilisation to support longer-term outcomes
• Strengthening integration between family support and community safety
• Informing future policy development, particularly in relation to SICAP

The evaluation makes a clear recommendation:

The model should be continued, expanded and structurally supported to reach its full potential.

Informing Policy and Practice

The Ballyhoura Breakthrough Pilot is contributing to national and European policy learning through the Interreg Europe CITICESS project.

The midpoint evaluation provides strong evidence that:

• Intensive, relationship-based approaches can prevent escalation and reduce costs
• There is a clear need for local decision-making authority
• Structural alignment is required to fully realise the benefits of integrated service delivery

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A Model with Real Potential

The evidence is clear: the model is working on the ground.

With the right structural support, it has the potential to deliver even greater impact — not only for families in Ballyhoura, but as a model for communities across Ireland.

Read More About CITICESS Project