http://hdl.handle.net/2262/37787 2013-05-23T21:03:05Z 2013-05-23T21:03:05Z Jordan, D. O'Leary, Eoin http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28015 2010-06-05T20:32:58Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Is Irish innovation policy working? evidence from Irish technology businesses Author: Jordan, D.; O'Leary, Eoin Abstract: In the last decade Irish innovation policy has been focused on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This paper explores the effects of HEIs, in the context of interaction with other interaction agents, on the innovation output of Irish high-technology businesses. Based on a survey of 184 businesses in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical, Information and Communications Technology and Engineering and Electronic Devices sectors, the paper estimates the importance of in-house R&D activity and external interaction with HEIs, support agencies and other businesses for product and process innovation. A key finding is that the greater the frequency of direct interaction with HEIs the lower the probability of both product and process innovation in these businesses. There is some evidence of a positive indirect HEI effect, through complementarities of interactions with suppliers and support agencies. However, while external interaction is important for innovation output, there is little evidence that geographical proximity matters. These findings have important implications for Irish innovation policy. Last year‘s Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation: 2006 to 2013 committed an additional €1.88 billion for research and commercialisation programmes in HEIs. The econometric results presented suggest that this substantial public investment in HEIs may have a disappointing, and perhaps even a negative, effect on the innovation output of Irish business, thus undermining future Irish prosperity. In addition, the absence of evidence supporting the existence of Irish clusters and networks for innovation suggests that policymakers long-standing support for these have been misguided. The paper concludes by advocating that innovation is a business rather than a technological phenomenon and argues for a changed role for HEIs to one of responding to innovative businesses. Description: read before the Society, 25 October 2007

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z SSISI http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28014 2010-06-15T03:13:40Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland: one hundred and sixty-first session: 2007/2008 Author: SSISI Abstract: The first meeting of the Society was held in the Royal Irish Academy, on Thursday, 25th October 2007, at 6:00 pm. The President, Dr. Donal de Buitleir, was in the Chair. Description: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland - one hundred and sixty-first session: 2007/2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Keeney, Mary J. http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28013 2011-08-16T09:58:21Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Wage inflation and structural unemployment in Ireland Author: Keeney, Mary J. Abstract: In this paper we represent structural unemployment by relating observed unemployment to wage inflation. An estimated series for the non-accelerating wage rate of unemployment (NAWRU) shows that the unemployment gap between observed unemployment and the structural rate provides a good reflection of prevailing aggregate demand conditions and indicates that our estimated NAWRU series is a good measure of the Irish structural unemployment situation. The estimated NAWRU was at a high level throughout the 1980s and declined over time such that any excess labour slack was dissipated by the mid-1990s. Between 1994 and 2001 we report that the observed unemployment rate was below our estimated NAWRU indicating that the substantial inflationary pressure on wages was justified for this period. Very recently, the gap between our estimate of the structural rate and observed rates of unemployment is not very substantial and reflects a healthier situation vis-à-vis wage inflationary pressures which are supported by inward migration and productivity increases becoming embedded in our economy. Description: Barrington Lecture 2007/08, read before the Society, 29 May 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Sweeney, Kevin Furphy, Michelle http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28012 2010-06-03T15:56:48Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An exercise in surveying a non-universally defined group in the population : the Northern Ireland survey of activity limitation and disability Author: Sweeney, Kevin; Furphy, Michelle Abstract: Developing policy and delivering services to people with disabilities is an important aspect of our society. As with all areas of policy and service provision, accurate, timely and reliable data are fundamental to the setting, monitoring and examination of that provision. Market and non-market service providers, advocacy groups and the general population seek increasingly detailed data on the prevalence, nature, severity and life circumstances of those people in our society who experience disability. However, disability is complex and difficult to measure. Whilst most people 'know' what disability means there is little consensus as to a complete but concise definition of the concept that could be employed in censuses, surveys or other data and research instruments. This paper explores the recent experience of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency in defining, identifying and surveying this seemingly growing group in our society. Previous survey instruments as well as current international models are examined. Experiences of surveying in the usual arena of the household are compared with the survey process experienced in communal establishments such as long-stay hospital wards and care homes. The key results from analyses to date are also highlighted. Description: read before the Society, 22 May 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Lyons, Sean Mayor, Karen TOL, RICHARD S. J. http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28011 2011-10-06T12:29:28Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Environmental accounts for the Republic of Ireland: 1990-2005 Author: Lyons, Sean; Mayor, Karen; TOL, RICHARD S. J. Abstract: This paper presents new environmental accounts for the Republic of Ireland from 1990-2005. Designed to be consistent with the national accounts, these satellite accounts cover 34 emissions and 14 resources for 19 production sectors plus households. Emissions include greenhouse gases, eutrophying and acidifying emissions, and three types of waste each divided into four dispositions. We find that some emissions such as halocarbons and carbon dioxide have grown rapidly over the period, although the main greenhouse gas emissions have grown less quickly than economic activity. Energy use as a whole has also increased. However, other emissions have declined, such as nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. Description: read before the Society, 3 April 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z McCormack, K. http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28010 2010-06-03T15:57:12Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Using a household budget survey to measure healthy eating patterns Author: McCormack, K. Abstract: Along with physical activity, diet is the key factor that affects your weight. Having a healthy weight for your height is important as being overweight or obese increases the risk of medical conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Very little is known about the diet of Irish households and its pattern of change. This paper reviews sources of information and highlights an overlooked source, the Central Statistics Office‘s Household Budget Survey (HBS). This study expands the use of the information collected from households that participated in the Irish 1999-2000 HBS. The detailed descriptions (including weight and volume data) on the receipts that the households received when they purchased food items were identified as an important new source of information on the nutritional value of this food. This study shows that the food purchased by households in the State, in the period 1999-2000, provided, on average, a calorific value 16% higher than the recommended level of 2,500 calories per day. Description: read before the Society, 26 February 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Whelan, Shane http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28009 2010-06-03T15:57:12Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Projecting population mortality for Ireland Author: Whelan, Shane Abstract: Mortality data for Ireland is analysed, for recent and long-run trends, and several methods of projecting mortality rates are outlined and the results compared. Interpretation of the results suggests that it is not unreasonable to forecast that males born in calendar year 2006 have a life expectancy of 91 years (females 93 years). On the same basis, males aged 65 years in calendar year 2006 can be expected to live another 20 years on average (females 23 years). The uncertainty surrounding the forecasts is outlined. Description: read before the Society, 24 January 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Armstrong, John http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28008 2010-06-03T15:57:12Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Changing morbidity patterns in Ireland 1996-2006 Author: Armstrong, John Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine changing patterns of morbidity (and healthcare utilisation) in Ireland and consider the impact of these changing patterns on the need for health services using health insurance data. This analysis is set in the context of a corresponding significant reduction in mortality rates over the period. Using inpatient hospital data from a large health insurer, which covers nearly 40% of the population, the changing pattern of morbidity is analysed by age, gender, and geographic area of residence for the years 1996-2006. Morbidity is measured using the International Classification of Diseases standard - Version 9 (ICD). The analysis shows that despite an improvement in mortality, not only has the rate of hospitalisations not correspondingly reduced but also the morbidity rates of the population have not reduced. The results confirm that the population is receiving more medical treatment than before even though mortality has improved. This may be as a result of better access to health services, a worse incidence of ill-health within population, better detection of illness or a combination of all of the above. Either way the changing utilisation pattern suggests that in establishing a policy for resource allocation for health services many factors need to be considered, many of which are not measurable and confirms that increasing life expectancy may come at a significant economic cost in terms of the increased resources that may be needed in the health system. Description: Read before the Society, 24 January 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Walsh, Brendan M. http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28007 2010-06-03T15:56:48Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Wealthier and healthier: Ireland's demographic catch-up Author: Walsh, Brendan M. Abstract: In the first half of this paper I summarise the trend in Irish deaths rates over the period 1973-2006. In the second half I discuss some possible explanations of these trends. Description: read before the Society, 24 January 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Sweeney, John http://hdl.handle.net/2262/28006 2010-06-03T15:57:12Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Second tier child income support: the case for innovation Author: Sweeney, John Abstract: Total and per child spending on child income supports are at high levels, and so are child poverty and the proportion of children being reared in jobless households. While the role of child income supports in alleviating child poverty should not be exaggerated, it can be improved. Most of the per child support received by low income families now takes the form of universal payments. These create no employment disincentive but, by giving almost one euro to families in the top half of the income distribution for each euro going to the bottom half, effectively accord child poverty a low priority. There has been a long interest in a new form of targeting that would enable priority be given families on the basis of low income alone, create no employment disincentive and be slowly withdrawn as family income rises. The principal difficulties in paying what would, in effect, be a supplement to Child Benefit but received only by low income families are administrative. Identifying 'family income‘ and delivering support to parents in work and those reliant on social welfare smoothly and equitably will entail significant innovations in the public administrative system. The requisite steps are identified in this paper. It should also be appreciated that achieving the necessary retooling of data and delivery systems would allow the new form of targeting to be applied to other supports as well (e.g., childcare subventions). Description: read before the Society, 22 November 2007

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z