SSISI Meeting: "Developments in the Irish Labour Market during the Crisis: What Lessons for Policy?"

Venue: Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

THE STATISTICAL AND SOCIAL INQUIRY SOCIETY OF IRELAND

Developments in the Irish Labour Market during the Crisis: What Lessons for Policy?

by Dr Thomas Conefrey (IFAC), Dr Martina Lawless and Ms Suzanne Linehan (Central Bank of Ireland)

Discussants will be Dr Aedín Doris (NUIM) and Mr Terry Corcoran (DSP)

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive description of the evolution of the Irish labour market over the past fifteen years, with a particular emphasis on the crisis-related adjustment and its consequences. The sectoral aspect of employment developments and in particular the role of the construction sector is a common theme of this paper. With the unemployment rate tripling between 2008 and 2011, there have been clear implications for labour supply, as evidenced by the falloff in participation and the reversion to net outward migration. Micro data is used to calculate flows between labour market states, thereby providing insight into labour market dynamics. The issue of mismatch between labour demand and supply is also considered. A number of policy messages emerge from this analysis including the need for further targeted activation measures and the removal of barriers to employment creation.

Non-members are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.