For a long time Irish history was marked by a surprising degree of consensus in favour of a united Ireland – whether as a united and politically independent island or as part of the United Kingdom. Since 1922, there has been a marked lack of consensus about where Northern Ireland’s future lies...

Recent changes in employment The latest figures from the Quarterly National Household Survey show employment increasing in almost all sectors of the economy. The stand-out figure is employment growth of 18.5 per cent in the construction sector over the twelve months ending in June 2015. A rise in...

In a previous Monday Blog I discussed some issues in relation to ageing population and future pension provision in the Republic of Ireland ( Living Long and Living Well? ). This Blog focuses on Northern Ireland where many of the same patterns, concerns and long-term questions arise. Currently there...

Youth unemployment remains one of the most enduring and destructive legacies of the financial crash and the great recession that followed it. Rates of unemployment among young people (those aged under 25) increased dramatically over the 2007 - 2009 period. The NERI's Quarterly Economic Facts...

The NERI seminar series resumed yesterday with an analysis of Budget 2016—presentations from each of the three speakers are available below. The speakers outlined the budgetary choices facing Irish society with a special focus on issues related to childcare and housing. Thanks to Michael Taft (...