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
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
International Policies
Economy and Finance
Social Policies
Agricultural Policies
Research Paper 25_Exploring Shared Opportunities in the North West: Findings from Focus Groups
NESC has been undertaking a Shared Island research programme to contribute to building a shared knowledge base and understanding about possible ways in which greater co-operation can emerge across a number of economic, social and environmental areas on the island of Ireland. As part of this work a place-based inquiry was undertaken in the North West to explore in-depth the ways in which co-operation worked, the barriers and the enablers. The focus was on the lived experience of people in the border areas, with the aim of exploring two integrated thematic issues – sustainability and connectivity.
To gain a more in-depth understanding of the issues and elements of co-operation in the North West four online focus groups were held in September/October 2021, facilitated by Caitríona Mullan, on: Good Jobs; Green Transformation; Poverty and Mental Health; and Mechanisms for Co-operation. Approximately 60 individuals from across a range of civic, public, community/voluntary, and business sector organisations in the North West participated in these focus groups.
Exploring Shared Opportunities in the North West: Findings from Focus Groups: EN
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Research Paper 24_Exploring Place-based Opportunities for Policy and Practice in Transition
Delivering effective regional development in a context of decarbonising the economy is not just challenging economically but raises the issue of social justice and equity. Ensuring a ‘just transition’ that appropriately addresses the needs and harnesses the potential of particular communities is therefore critical. This research paper explores placebased approaches to just transition in Ireland and the potential for adopting co-creation methodologies to identifying and implementing pathways to change. It draws on three case studies to understand perspectives on, and pathways towards, more climate-resilient and equitable futures in three areas outside the major metropolitan areas.
Exploring Place-based Opportunities for Policy and Practice in Transition: GA
Advisory Reports
Ireland
NESC
Others
The Covid-19 Pandemic: Lessons for Irish Public Policy (158)
This research from the National Economic and Social Council reviews international experience of emergencies and the Covid-19 pandemic, looks at examples of Ireland’s response to the pandemic, and identifies five key lessons for Irish public policy. These are:
Vulnerability is complex and context-specific, meaning pinpointing and managing vulnerability are crucial.
Stakeholder networks and experts shape outcomes, so the policy system must stay deeply engaged.
Real-time evidence, when used alongside longer-run data, has the power to transform policymaking, suggesting that the analytical activity which aided in the pandemic response can be applied in other areas of public policy.
Adapting the policy world to the data world requires significant effort, meaning that governance, privacy, access, confidentially and data-sharing issues must be prioritised and addressed with urgency.
Communication and trust are critical for responding to crises. Policymakers must improve their capacity to reach out, to listen actively, and to communicate clearly. They must also work to ensure their decisions deliver, and are seen to deliver, for society.
The Covid-19 Pandemic: Lessons for Irish Public Policy: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Local Policies
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.
As part of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative the Department of the Taoiseach requested NESC to undertake research and to produce a comprehensive report on the Shared Island, to inform the development of the Shared Island Initiative as a whole of Government priority.
This report is the culmination of research on the Shared Island that NESC undertook over 2021. This involved more than 100 meetings with practitioners, policy makers, academics and experts from a diverse range of institutions across the whole island, detailed work in the North West including four focus groups, a public consultation on climate and biodiversity, plus a number of NESC Shared Island publications on the economy, regional development, good jobs, climate and biodiversity, poverty and mental health.
The report makes specific recommendations across five key areas in relation to the economy and investment, social policy, climate and biodiversity, wellbeing measurement and data co-ordination.
Shared Island: Shared Opportunity NESC Comprehensive Report: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Social Policies
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
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
International Policies
Research Paper 23_Perspectives on Micro-Generation: Public Participation in the Low-Carbon Transition in Ireland (MISTRAL)
Mistral is an innovative training and support network for 15 doctoral researchers in relation to renewable energy and social acceptance operating in 6 countries: United Kingdom, Portugal, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Ireland. It is a three-year project funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under a Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant.
NESC is a partner in the MISTRAL programme. The network and overall project is led by Council Member, Prof Geraint Ellis, Queens University Belfast. NESC has provided a secondment opportunity for two doctoral researchers with posts in QUB.
Senni Määttä was seconded to NESC as a visiting researcher from September to October 2021. The paper produced during the secondment explores stakeholder views on micro-generation as expressed through the Irish Micro-Generation Scheme consultation process. It focuses on prosumers and microgeneration as part of the active participation of individuals in the low-carbon transition. The paper’s findings can help to inform the development of microgeneration policy with the final scheme, but it also provides insights into the value and challenges of public policy consultation.
Perspectives on Micro-Generation: Public Participation in the Low-Carbon Transition in Ireland (MISTRAL): 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
Advisory Reports
Ireland
NESC
Climate Change
Collaboration on Climate and Biodiversity: Shared Island as a Catalyst for Renewed Ambition & Action (156)
Forming part of a wider body of work on a Shared Island for the Department of the Taoiseach, this report by the National Economic and Social Council examines the particular challenges and opportunities of climate change and biodiversity loss across the island. It draws on an extensive consultation process with stakeholders, north and south.
In this report, the Council has identified that there is a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities; and of the need to accept that strengthening cooperation takes time and requires public engagement and participation. This report shows that there is an ambition to collaborate across the island to deal with climate and biodiversity in an integrated, positive and imaginative manner.
It also points to the deep, shared experience that provides a solid foundation to deliver on this ambition.
Collaboration on Climate and Biodiversity: Shared Island as a Catalyst for Renewed Ambition & Action: 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
Following the Programme for Government’s commitment to developing a well-being framework for Ireland, NESC was asked to consult with stakeholders and experts to inform the development of a well-being framework. The Department of the Taoiseach is leading this work, which is jointly sponsored by the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and supported by a wider Inter-departmental Working Group.
The National Economic and Social Council provided a vehicle for consultation with stakeholders, both through members of the Council representing different social partnership pillars, as well as external experts and interested parties and this report is based on these engagements and consultation and was an important input to the Government’s First Report on a Well-being Framework for Ireland.
Ireland’s Well-Being Framework: Consultation Report: GA
Advisory Reports
Ireland
NESC
Others
Digital Inclusion in Ireland: Connectivity, Devices & Skills (154)
Economic, social and cultural systems worldwide are becoming increasingly digitalised as we move into the 21st century.
This has opened up many new opportunities and challenges in how we live, work and relate to one another—changes
which have been accelerated by the Covid-19 lockdowns. More people and businesses need to be proficient in accessing
the digital world in order to adapt to and benefit from this transition. However, a number of groups are poorly engaged
with ICT, in particular those who are older, have lower levels of education, lower incomes, and live in rural areas. In
addition, the extent to which all of those online are fully engaging with the digital world varies. This is a cost for our
economy, society, government and individuals. The World Economic Forum identifies the digital divide as a critical
threat. This report therefore focuses on how Irish policy can improve digital inclusion.
Digital Inclusion in Ireland: Connectivity, Devices & Skills: GA
Reports
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
Reports
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
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
Industrial Changes
Research Paper 22_Long-term Resilient and Sustainable Cities A Scoping Paper
City resilience is seen as a city capability to recover from large events, such as
natural hazards, and to positively manage ongoing city “stressors,” such as the
climate crisis, demographic change, social inequality, unemployment, and poverty.
While the term ‘resilient city’ has its origins in dealing with natural disasters, its use
now extends to a number of independent but interacting resilient domains, such as
social resilience; economic resilience; community capital; institutional resilience;
infrastructure resilience; and environmental resilience.
Long-term Resilient and Sustainable Cities A Scoping Paper: GA
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Social Policies
Research Paper 21_Gender and Covid-19 in Ireland
This paper outlines data on a number of gender impacts of Covid-19 in Ireland in
2020. It describes the outcomes from the pandemic for women and men in the
areas of employment, domestic work and childcare, finance and state income
supports, well-being, health and decision-making. It also outlines ways in which
some groups experience overlapping negative impacts.
Research Paper 21_Gender and Covid-19 in Ireland: GA
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Research Paper 19_Economic Resilience in Sustainable Communities: Innovative Approaches in Public Spending to Maximise Local Benefits
The Government of Ireland, as with all governments across Europe, faces a triple challenge of recovery from the economic crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the urgent need for action on climate change and ensuring a just transition to a zero-carbon society so that opportunities and burdens are equally distributed.
This paper asks whether it is possible to align the recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to take climate action with innovative local wealth building approaches, to catalyse enhanced local sustainable development, in particular in rural communities. The public health crisis has exposed shortcomings in local economies across Ireland, with rural communities impacted hardest by the economic impacts of the crisis , while the importance of active citizenship to the national response has underscored importance of resilient communities.
Economic Resilience in Sustainable Communities: Innovative Approaches in Public Spending to Maximise Local Benefits: GA
Advisory Reports
Ireland
NESC
Labour
Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland (149)
How do you manage a transition to a fundamentally new economic future? This question had been the focus of work at the National Economic and Social Council in the months and weeks before Covid-19.
The Council’s work focused on how to manage the transition associated with climate change and digital automation. These challenges will endure beyond the current crisis and the Council have identified recommendations which will help Ireland address these and embrace the significant the opportunities. These are contained in this report.
Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland: GA
Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland (149): GA