http://hdl.handle.net/2262/76764 2017-11-03T02:59:18Z 2017-11-03T02:59:18Z Devitt, Conor Malaguzzi Valeri, Laura http://hdl.handle.net/2262/76757 2016-09-09T16:38:19Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

The Effect of REFIT on Irish Wholesale Electricity Prices Devitt, Conor; Malaguzzi Valeri, Laura This paper evaluates the likely effect of REFIT, the Irish scheme to support renewable electricity generation, on the wholesale price of electricity. The cost of REFIT is passed on to Irish consumers. Here we calculate that, when there are 4,071MW of on-shore wind in the Republic of Ireland, the cost of the REFIT scheme is between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of the gross wholesale price of electricity. Off-shore wind has higher levels of support than on-shore wind, as do technologies that are still in development such as wave and tidal. When off-shore wind, wave and tidal are added to the system, the cost of REFIT increases significantly. We argue that wave and tidal should be sustained with a different scheme that provides capital grants, and that off-shore wind that is channelled to exports should not be supported by Irish consumers.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Boate, Carol http://hdl.handle.net/2262/76756 2016-09-09T17:04:01Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Competition in Primary Healthcare in Ireland: More and Better Services for Less Money Boate, Carol Understanding precisely the nature of competition in primary healthcare has an important role to play in understanding how to improve the delivery of healthcare services. This is particularly the case in Ireland, where the private sector plays such a large role in primary care. If we do not understand competition, well-intentioned regulations and policies are less likely to be effective and more likely to result in excessive costs and under-utilisation of primary healthcare. This in turn can increase Ireland’s overall health expenditure and contribute to a higher cost of living in Ireland and thus lower competitiveness. This paper shows how well-designed regulations and systems for State funding of primary healthcare can ensure that competition works well and contributes to the better availability and quality of services at the lowest possible cost. The most common barriers to entry and expansion in primary healthcare markets are outlined and pricesetting mechanisms examined. Examples are used to illustrate the benefits to consumers and the State where these obstacles to competition have been removed, and the difficulties where they remain. Conclusions are drawn on the implications of this analysis for the governance of regulatory bodies, for regulatory Codes of Conduct, and for achieving value for money. It is time for the culture of the healthcare professions to move towards one where it is no longer considered “unprofessional” to provide a competitive service.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Pavelin, Stephen Porter, Lynda A. http://hdl.handle.net/2262/76755 2016-09-09T16:24:31Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Race-to-the-Bottom or -Top at Home or Abroad: Health and Safety Standards and the Multinational Firm Pavelin, Stephen; Porter, Lynda A. We develop a model to illustrate potential complexities in the relationship between corporate geographical diversification and the health and safety (H&S) standards set in national jurisdictions. A firm, that initially has a plant in its home country, may choose to also have one or two foreign plants in order to improve its bargaining position versus local governments, and so ensure reduced H&S standards, i.e. a race-to-the-bottom. However, contrary to the main focus of the popular debate on this topic, we note the potential for the race-to-the-bottom tendency to be exerted on H&S standards in the multinational company’s home rather than host country, and also for an upward push on H&S to instead result.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z González-Gómez, Manuel Otero Giráldez, Mª Soledad http://hdl.handle.net/2262/76754 2016-09-09T17:02:54Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

The Causality Between Economic Growth and Immigration in Germany and Switzerland González-Gómez, Manuel; Otero Giráldez, Mª Soledad This paper analyses the relationship between immigration and the economic growth in Germany and Switzerland during the period 1970-2005 by using a cointegration approach. Both countries have gone through a similar learning process. First they encouraged low-skilled and temporary workers. More recently, they have attracted high-skilled people and restricted the recruitment of low-skilled immigrants. Our empirical analysis reveals important differences between Germany and Switzerland. The results may be useful for other countries that attract immigrants to compensate for shortages in the labour market and in response to the ageing of the population.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z