THE MINISTER for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, has praised the magazine, Changing Ireland, for providing community workers around the country with a "voice" and a "central forum" for debate on relevant issues to the sector.
The publication, which is produced in Moyross in Limerick, has been celebrating the release of its milestone 25th edition this week and has had a print run of about four editions annually since 2001.
The office used by staff was formerly a roofless bungalow that was among six buildings restored by the community and fitted out as business units in Sarsfield Gardens, Moyross.
The 28-page national newsletter, which is staffed by two people, is aimed primarily at those working in the field of local development, especially in disadvantaged areas.
It receives €135,000 a year from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
It is available through Eason stores, on the web (www.changingireland.ie) and by post.
Mr Ó Cuív said Changing Ireland "not only gives people working in community development a voice, it also provides a central forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas".
Its editor, Allen Meagher, said Changing Ireland had highlighted "proven responses to suicide, antisocial behaviour, rural isolation and many other solutions to supposedly impossible problems".