CITICESS Stakeholder Engagement Event: Social Service Systems in Practice – Ireland & the Netherlands

Ballyhoura Development will host the CITICESS Stakeholder Engagement Event titled “Social Service Systems in Practice: Ireland and the Netherlands” on Wednesday, 26th October at the Charleville Park Hotel. This event forms part of the Interreg Europe-funded CITICESS (Citizen-Centred Social Services) project, aimed at improving social services for vulnerable groups through learning, innovation, and regional cooperation.

The event provides an opportunity to reflect on how social services are delivered in Ireland and to consider innovative practices emerging in the Netherlands, particularly in the municipality of Heerlen. The day will feature two complementary sessions: a policy and systems-focused morning session and an afternoon session exploring frontline practice in family support. Participants may attend one or both.

Morning Session: Strategic Insights and Practice

10.00am – 12.30pm (Networking lunch to follow)

The morning session will bring together representatives from government, academia, and the community and voluntary sector. It will examine high-level approaches to public service delivery, with contributions from invited speakers and a panel discussion comparing Irish and Dutch systems.

Agenda:

• 10.00am – Registration, Tea & Coffee

• 10.30am – Welcome and Opening

• 10.40am – Dr Maura Adshead, University of Limerick:
  Public Service Delivery in Ireland

• 11.05am – Maurice Veders, Municipality of Heerlen:
  The Breakthrough Method – A Strategic Overview

• Panel Discussion:
  Common Challenges, Different Systems: Ireland and Heerlen
  Featuring representatives from local and central government, statutory agencies, and community and voluntary service providers.

Afternoon Session: Supporting Families in Practice

1.45pm – 4.00pm

The afternoon session will focus on frontline service delivery, examining family support in practice and exploring coordinated approaches to meeting the needs of vulnerable households.

Agenda:

• 1.45pm – Registration

• A Day in the Life of a Heerlen Family Coach
  An interactive session exploring similarities and differences in family support approaches between Ireland and the Netherlands, followed by facilitated discussions and reflections.

• 4.00pm – Close

Registration

Attendance is free, but registration is required.

Please indicate which sessions you wish to attend and whether you require lunch.

Register

For any further information, please contact:

• Eileen O'Keeffe, [email protected], 087-6216200
• Kate McKenna, [email protected], 086-1677757

Read More About CITICESS Project