Employees of local authorities, community workers, concerned residents and anyone involved in tenant participation in social housing may be interested in a course on housing and tenant participation run by the Irish housing association, Respond, in conjunction with the DIT and the University of Northumbria, England. This is the fourth year of the course, which has graduated over 20 students to date.

A seven-month certificate or 10month diploma course are on offer and the new term begins on December 14th. Students attend the Marino Institute in Dublin two days per month and the cost of the course is £1,500 for the certificate and £2,000 for the diploma. Some students pay their own fees but others are sponsored by their employers or by local partnerships. No specific educational qualifications are required by prospective participants. Areas covered by the course include legal issues, community empowerment, mediation and conflict resolution and the implications of recent legislation. For more information contact Deborah Butler at (01) 857 2020.