How is the Economy Doing?
External event contribution Presentation to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Lunchtime Learning series on July 8th 2014.
Spending on health and the cost of providing universal care
The recent release of OECD data external link on health care has highlighted the low level of expenditure on health in Ireland. As noted in the Irish Times external link, the state spent less on health than any other country in Western Europe during 2012. In this blog I attempt to put this stark...
Monday Blog: Après Piketty
In scenes slightly reminiscent of the papal visit to Ireland in 1979 the departure of what the media has styled ‘rockstar’ Thomas Piketty has left a curious void. Was it a temporary mid-summer event to fete the fascinating and seductive ideas of a left-leaning French economist while regretting all...
NERI Seminar: Summer QEO 2014
Slides used by Dr Tom McDonnell at the launch of the Quartertly Economic Observer, Summer 2014.
Monday Blog: US-EU trade deal (TTIP): separating the baby from the bathwater
Trade and investment across regions and continents can be good for people. It can raise levels of productivity, create jobs and encourage global cooperation to the betterment of all. Better to make trade than war especially when it comes to food, energy, medicines and the many goods and services...
Monday Blog: Piketty on inequality
''It is hard to imagine an economy and a society that can continue functioning indefinitely with such extreme divergence between social groups” – so writes Thomas Piketty on page 297 of ‘Capital the 21stCentury’. The book is a serious read but not beyond the reach of most readers. It is very well...
Monday Blog: Some data on public sector pensions in the Republic of Ireland
The Government in the Republic of Ireland spends just over €3 billion a year on pensions to retired public servants (or their spouses). This represents approximately 2% of GDP, 6% of total ‘voted’ public expenditure or 16% of the total public service payroll. These payments are made to persons who...
Monday Blog: Tábhacht Postanna, Pá, Tithe
An príomh rud atá in easnamh sa tír seo faoi láthair ná dóchas – dóchas atá bunaithe ar fhírinní agus ar fhéidireachtaí na sochaí. Tá teipeadh le straitéis na déine san Eoraip. Tá an tuarascáil is nua ag an gcomissiún Eorpach Ní thugann an cháipéis aon tuarthaí nua dóchas agus athrú bunúsach do...
Donal Nevin Lecture on Banking in Ireland
Professor Stephany Griffith-Jones gave this year’s annual Dónal Nevin lecture on the future of banking in the EU and in Ireland. The lecture focused on the role a public development bank can play in boosting growth and job creation. Professor Griffith-Jones cited the success of the Kreditanstalt für...
Monday Blog: Jobs, Wages, Homes
Following 6 years of declining or stagnant living standards many people are wondering what the future holds. The gathering crisis of accommodation and social housing has caught many by surprise. While there has been a welcome pick up in employment and a very modest fall in unemployment these changes...