ESRI November 2023 Newsletter

Message from the Director

Dear Reader,

November saw the publication of a wide range of ESRI reports with a significant focus on young people. Our Shared Island report Changing social and political attitudes in Ireland and Northern Ireland examines people’s optimism about their future, their trust in institutions and democracy and their trust in other people. I was particularly struck by its finding that young people across Ireland are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the future. You can watch the report launch below.

Perhaps as an antidote to those findings, another report Civic and political engagement among young adults in Ireland found that volunteering benefits young people’s wellbeing and confidence as adults. The report launch is available to watch below.

We also explored sub-minimum wage youth rates. While policymakers have criticised sub-minimum rates for being too low to ensure a decent standard of living, our report found that only 1 in 140 employees actually earn this rate and the majority receive higher pay.

This month, we had the opportunity to meet President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin when the President delivered our annual Geary Lecture. This was a special occasion and I thank the President for his engagement with the Institute. You can read and listen to the President’s speech below.

Additionally, I was glad to see that Minister Simon Harris drew on recent ESRI/Shared Island research when examining potential policy changes to bolster North-South student mobility. One such change – as recommended in our report – will be a reduction in the number of A-levels required for Northern Irish students to gain entry to university in Ireland. I’m always grateful to policymakers for engaging with ESRI research in such a robust manner.

Looking ahead, in December we’ll be releasing the Quarterly Economic Commentary, Winter 2023 which will include a Special Article on the distributional impacts of Budget 2024. We are looking forward to welcoming the European Central Bank’s Chief Economist Philip Lane to the Institute for a seminar titled The Euro Area Outlook. You can register below.

Lastly, as the ESRI relies on our sponsors, patrons, and corporate members to support our work, I am delighted to report that in recent months the following companies have joined as corporate members: AbbVie, An Garda Síochána, Coimisiún na Meán, Cavan County Council, Fingal County Council, Johnson and Johnson and PTSB. 

Regards,

Professor Alan Barrett
Director