Commissioned Research Reports

Vazquez Mendoza, L. and Downes, P. (2024) DCU Educational Disadvantage Centre Local Community Outreach Hubs Report

Hunter, A. and Irwin, J. (2022) ‘Knowing Your Neighbour: Educating in Multi-belief contexts in Northern and Southern Ireland’. SCOTENS. (Joint Winner of John Coolahan Award 2022)

Kazmierczak-Murray, S. (2021). Effective Speech and Language Services for Young Children: A Review of Current Evidence. Dublin: Childhood Development Initiative (CDI).

Eivers, E. (2020). Reducing early school leaving in Malta. Report for MEDE

Ní Chlochasaigh, K., Shiel, G. & Ó Duibhir, P. (2020). Iniúchadh ar an Tumoideachas do Dhaltaí i Scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge i gCeantair Mhíbhuntáiste  [An investigation into immersion education for pupils in Irish-medium schools in areas in social disadvantage]. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta

Burke, Andrew; Cuadra, Ernesto Pancracio; Mahon,Tony; Moreno Olmedilla, Juan Manuel & Thacker,Simon (2020). Transforming Teacher Education in the West Bank and Gaza: Policy Implications for Developing Countries. The World Bank

Brady, D. (2020). Retention Rates of Leaving Certificate in County Carlow,  Published and commissioned by Carlow County Development Partnership. Foreword by Dr Paul Downes.

Donlevy, V; Day, L., Andriescu, M & Downes, P. (2019). Assessment of the implementation of the 2011 Council Recommendation on Policies to Reduce Early School Leaving. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

Murphy, S; McKenna, G & Downes, P. (2019). Educational Gaps and Future Solutions A study of the holistic educational needs and experiences of a sample of homeless men in Dublin aged 18-38 Years. Dublin: Peter McVerry Trust.    

Executive Summary of Report

ABC Grangegorman Interagency Action Plan for Children and Young People 2019-2021,  Sarah Murphy, Research Consultant,  Commissioned by ABC Grangegorman Consortium September 2018

 Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services – Evaluation Report 2015-2017,  A New Way of Working,  Sarah Murphy, Research Consultant,  Commissioned by the SPECS Consortium 

Scanlon, G & McKenna, G. (2018).  Home Works: A Study on Children Experiencing Homelessness and living in Emergency Accommodation. Dublin: Children’s Rights Alliance Full Report.

Scanlon, G & McKenna, G. (2018).  Home Works: A Study on Children Experiencing Homelessness and living in Emergency Accommodation. Dublin: Children’s Rights Alliance. Executive Summary

CEDEFOP SELF-REFLECTION TOOL FOR POLICY MAKERS TO TACKLE EARLY LEAVING FROM VET - Access Self-Reflection Tool here

The development of the toolkit was developed by Paul Downes, Dublin City University under Cedefop’s framework contract 2013-FWC25/AO/ECVL/IPS-ARANl/EarlyLeaving/OO5/13 and the responsibility of Irene Psifidou, Cedefop expert at the Department for learning and employability, headed by Antonio Ranieri.  

Process evaluation of ABC Grangegorman 2015-2017,  Sarah Murphy, Independent Researcher, Commissioned by the ABC Grangegorman Programme

McNally, S. & Downes, P. (2016). Evaluation of University College Dublin’s ‘Future You’ Peer Support Access Initiative: A Relational, Community Development Systemic Outreach Approach. Dublin: UCD.  ACCESS THE REPORT HERE 

Review of DEIS: Poverty and Social Inclusion in Education Proceedings of a Joint Conference: INTO and Educational Disadvantage Centre, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra 5 December 2015

Key Emerging Features of a Mental Health Focus for Early School Leaving Prevention –  illustrations from Ireland, (2013) NESET Expert author Dr. Paul Downes 

Downes, P. (2011).  LLL2010 Project Report No 5. A Systems Level Focus on Access to Education for Traditionally Marginalised Groups in Europe: Comparing Strategies, Policy and Practice in Twelve European Countries.  LLL2010 SP5 Comparative Report

Downes, P. (2011). Multi/Interdisciplinary Teams for Early School Leaving Prevention: Developing a European Strategy Informed by International Evidence and Research. Commissioned Research Report for European Commission, NESET (Network of Experts on Social Aspects of Education and Training), Directorate General, Education and Culture: Brussels.

Downes, P. (2011). Community Based Lifelong Learning Centres: Developing a European Strategy Informed by International Evidence and Research. Commissioned Research Report for European Commission, NESET (Network of Experts on Social Aspects of Education and Training), Directorate General, Education and Culture: Brussels.

Maunsell, C. (2011). Lifelong learning and associated policy objectives (European, national and institutional) in Recognition of Prior Learning in the University Sector: Dublin: FIN

Ivers, J., McLoughlin, V. and Downes, P. (2010). Current Steps and Future Horizons for CASPr. Review of CASPr North-East Inner City After Schools Project. North Inner City Dublin: Community After Schools Project (CASPR).

Carrigan, J. & Downes, P. (with Byrne, I.) (2010). Is there more than what's the score? Exploring needs and skills checking for literacy as part of a holistic initial assessment process in a lifelong learning society. Funded by the Department of Education and Skills

Maunsell, C., Downes P & McLoughlin, V. (2008). National Report on Lifelong Learning in Ireland. LLL2010: Sub-project 1: Towards a Lifelong Learning Society in Europe - the Contribution of the Education System. Dublin: Educational Disadvantage Centre

Downes, P & Maunsell, C. (2007). Count us in: Tackling early school leaving in South West Inner City Dublin: An integrated response. Dublin: Commissioned by the South Inner City Community Development Association

Downes, P, Maunsell, C & Ivers, J. (2006). A Holistic Approach to Early School Leaving and School Retention in Blanchardstown : Current Issues and Future Steps for Services and Schools. Dublin: Blanchardstown Area Partnership

Quality Development of Out-of-School Services: An Agenda for Development. Compiled by Dr. Paul Downes on behalf of the QDOSS Network. 2006

Downes, P. (2004) Voices of Children St. Raphael's Primary School, Ballyfermot. Commissioned report for URBAN Ballyfermot

Downes, P. (2004) Present and Future: Psychological Support Services for Ballyfermot. Dublin: URBAN

Traveller Education Strategy submission by The Educational Disadvantage Centre, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, February 2004. Download as pdf file

Downes, P. & Maunsell, C. (2003). Expert Survey on family-based prevention, community-based prevention and indicated prevention (early interventions) in Ireland: Compiled for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.  Click here to access this report

Primary Education: Ending Disadvantage: Proceedings and Action Plan of the National Forum, July 1-5th 2002, St. Patrick's College. 2002

Achieving Equality in Children's Education. Research Report by Dr. Katherine Zappone. 2002

Video - 'Messages from the Children' by Dr. Katherine Zappone, Colm Hefferon and Paul Murphy. 2002

Website version (October 2003), European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Annual Report 2003, The state of the drugs problem in the acceding and candidate countries to the European Union: Country Profiles, Estonia and Latvia

Downes. P. (2002). Interim evaluation report on 'Oasis Counselling Service Ballyfermot' for URBAN, Ballyfermot (2002)

Downes, P. & Murray, S. (2002). Evaluation of the The Ana Liffey Drug Project Children's Project. Commissioned Research Report. Dublin: Ana Liffey Drugs Project.

(The above are available for loan in the Educational Disadvantage Centre's Resource Library).