Secretariat Paper 31_An Opportunity to Review and Reframe Collective Bargaining and the Industrial Relations Regime
This paper was prepared by the NESC Secretariat to support the deliberations of the LEEF High Level Working Group on Collective Bargaining which was established on the 30th of March 2021. While recognising the complexity of the issues being addressed by the Working Group there is an awareness of the need to put in place an employment relations regime that is “fit for purpose” and capable of meeting the needs of a 21st century economy, labour market and society. This Paper contends that the work of the High Level Group represents an opportunity to begin to review and reframe collective bargaining and industrial relations as a key policy instrument for supporting a good jobs economy, enhancing productivity and promoting fairness within the labour market.
An Opportunity to Review and Reframe Collective Bargaining and the Industrial Relations Regime: EN
Reports
Belgium
CNT-NAR
Labour
Social Policies
Harmonization of the status of blue-collar and white-collar workers – Supplementary pensions – Article 14/4, § 2 of the Supplementary Pensions Law – Evaluation – Report No. 117
Harmonization of the status of blue-collar and white-collar workers – Supplementary pensions: FR
Secretariat Paper 30_Towards Transformative Outcomes: Examples of how Well-being Frameworks have been Embedded into Policy Making
This research looks at how national well-being frameworks have been incorporated into budgeting a nd policy-making processes in New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. It also looks at the approach taken under Ireland’s Better Outcomes: Brighter Futures – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 (BOBF). BOBF is a sectoral policy framework, but has similar elements to those found in national well-being frameworks. Information was gathered through literature reviews and interviews with those working to design, implement and/or monitor the various well-being frameworks.
Secretariat Paper 29_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy, A Shared Island Perspective on Mental Health
As part of the Shared Island research project this report from the NESC Secretariat looks at current and possible future co-operation around mental health on the island of Ireland, North and South.
The issue of mental health has become increasingly visible in the public arena over the last two years. The COVID crisis has brought with it a range of different issues that have had the potential to negatively impact on mental health. As many of the concerns and policies around mental health are shared by the two jurisdictions, it is a good time to look at how increased dialogue and co-operation on some aspects of mental health could bring benefits to the wider island population.
There are a number of examples of successful and current co-operation in the mental health sector. Some of it is led by the community and voluntary sector, often supported by European funding. In the border counties, there is also evidence of substantial informal interaction between services in the two jurisdictions.
This report finds that there is an appetite for more formal settings for co-operation and that there could be substantial value in building on current initiatives as well as looking at new areas of co-operation.
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy, A Shared Island Perspective on Mental Health: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Social Policies
Secretariat Paper 28_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy, Sharing Knowledge and Lessons in Combatting Poverty
As part of the Shared Island research project this report from the NESC Secretariat shares knowledge and lessons in combatting poverty in the island of Ireland.
The report finds that poverty is a concern for both parts of the island and both jurisdictions have an anti-poverty strategy or is in the process of preparing one, as well as policies and programmes to support disadvantaged groups and areas. A key learning from these programmes and initiatives is the importance of state, community, and voluntary bodies working together to address disadvantage, whilst listening to and drawing on the knowledge and experience of people living in these local areas.
While cooperation across the island on addressing poverty is limited there are some initiatives that support this. The future challenge is to build on these initiatives by sharing knowledge and lessons to work towards the reduction of poverty on both parts of the island.
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy, Sharing Knowledge and Lessons in Combatting Poverty: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Local Policies
Social Policies
Secretariat Paper 27_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy, A Regional Perspective on Ireland, North and South
This report from the NESC Secretariat examines the economic features of regions across the island of Ireland, north and south. It is one of series of reports being published by NESC this year on the Shared Island.
The report finds that across a range of variables for Ireland, there is a broad division between north and west of the country and the south and east. For the most part the more prosperous areas are south of a line between Galway and Dundalk. Within Northern Ireland, there is something of an east–west division: the more affluent areas are clustered around Belfast.
The report also considers regional development issues. It points to the opportunity for deeper collaboration to promote balanced regional development on the island including the border area.
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy, A Regional Perspective on Ireland, North and South: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Social Policies
Secretariat Paper 26_Building a New Relationship between Voluntary Organisations and the State in the Health and Social Care Sectors
The Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations was established by the Minister of Health in 2019 with the aim of building a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users and to facilitate regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on future policy and strategic developments. In June 2020, the Dialogue Forum commissioned the NESC Secretariat to explore the healthcare system’s response to Covid-19 crisis. Drawing on a series of qualitative interviews with senior policy makers and practitioners this study highlights how the healthcare system responded to the challenge of protecting citizens, in particular the most vulnerable, in a flexible, innovative and collaborative manner. The paper outlines many examples of organisational change and innovation in the way services were delivered and argues that they represent an unprecedented level of collaboration and cooperation between the state and voluntary organisations. The paper highlights that in the midst of a national emergency public and voluntary organisations forged an experimental and dynamic partnership, based on intensive engagement, open information exchange, and collective problem solving and deliberation linked to tangible action.
Building a New Relationship between Voluntary Organisations and the State in the Health and Social Care Sectors: GA
Secretariat Paper 26_Building a New Relationship between Voluntary Organisations and the State in the Health and Social Care Sectors: GA
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Ireland
NESC
Local Policies
Economy and Finance
Secretariat Paper 25_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Island Economy
This paper is one of a series of papers being published by NESC this year on the shared island. It traces the evolution of the two economies, north and south, on the island of Ireland. It describes similarities and differences in the structure of the economies and the connections between them. Despite differences in the economies on the island, the expansion of cross-border trade and the increased interconnections of business on the island mean that to some extent an island economy has been developed
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Island Economy: GA
Secretariat Paper 25_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Island Economy: GA
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Ireland
NESC
Local Policies
Secretariat Paper 24_Housing and Urban Development Policy Priorities
In June 2020, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Secretariat was asked by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to undertake research to address the following question:
What are the policy options available to facilitate the delivery of public and private housing in line with the compact growth targets set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF) and related policies in a new Programme for Government?
Housing and Urban Development Policy Priorities: GA
Secretariat Paper 24_Housing and Urban Development Policy Priorities: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Local Policies
Secretariat Paper 23_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Good-Jobs Agenda
ood jobs are needed on all parts of the island of Ireland. ‘Poor’ jobs, low pay and precarious forms of employment are not new and digitisation, climate transition and globalisation have the potential to create more. The Covid-19 highlighted the high societal value placed on jobs in sectors such as healthcare, social care, public transport, retail, hospitality, and other essential services. However, for many individuals these jobs are low-income and higher risk.
‘Good jobs’ policy aims to tackle these sources of deepening labour market inequality. A new NESC Secretariat Paper explains that a ‘good jobs’ agenda is a drive to improve the quality and productivity of work and the experiences, incomes and standard of living of workers. The agenda is focused on measures and actions to improve job quality within the labour market. The paper draws on interviews with stakeholders in Ireland and Northern Ireland and finds strong support for an all-island approach to ‘good-jobs’.
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Good-Jobs Agenda: GA
Secretariat Paper 23_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Good-Jobs Agenda: GA