ESRI September 2023 Newsletter

Message from the Director

Dear Reader,

This month, we released three major reports. The first was our third annual Community Foundation Ireland report Poverty, income inequality and living standards in Ireland. I was particularly struck by its findings showing that a second tier of child benefit has the potential to take more than 40,000 children out of poverty. The report estimates introducing this payment would cost around €700 million per year. It could reduce the share of children below the poverty line by a quarter.

Our second major report Student mobility in Ireland and Northern Ireland, produced in partnership with the Shared Island unit at the Department of the Taoiseach, found that institutional barriers limit cross-border study on the island of Ireland. Furthermore, higher education entry requirements in Ireland appear to disadvantage students from Northern Ireland. The study highlights the scope for greater cooperation across the island of Ireland in meeting student needs. 

Lastly, our report on rental prices faced by existing versus new rental tenancies is the first detailed examination of this topic to be carried out in Ireland. This data is crucial for shedding light on the housing market and no doubt will prove useful for policymakers.

This month also saw ESRI researchers addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight. I’m grateful for policymakers engaging with the ESRI in such a public and transparent manner. It is a reminder of how relevant our work is, especially as we approach Budget 2024. 

With that in mind, our annual, and always highly anticipated, Post-Budget Briefing will take place at the ESRI on 13th October. You can find registration details below.

Lastly, I am delighted to report that in recent months the following companies have joined the ESRI as corporate members: Cork City Council, Intertrade Ireland, daa and Bus Éireann.

Regards,

Professor Alan Barrett
Director