http://hdl.handle.net/2262/1478 2013-06-19T17:17:59Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8659 Title: Experiences from the United Kingdom in the regulation of privatised utilities Author: Kay, John Abstract: As Ireland embarks on a programme of privatisation and liberalisation of markets, it may be informative to reflect on the experiences of the UK on competition, privatisation and regulatory issues in the utilities sector over the last two decades. The regulation of privatised utilities in Britain is widely criticised today. The criticism comes from many quarters. Customers resent their money being handed out in excessive salaries and dividends. Academics are now widely critical of the RPI-x formula for capping prices below the retail price index (RPI), which was once a proud British innovation. A curious alliance of politicians and senior industry executives is concerned to suggest that the regulatory process is insufficiently accountable. Description: Read before the Society, 20 January 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8498 Title: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland: one hundred and fifty third session – 1999/2000 Author: SSISI Description: One hundred and fifty third session – 1999/2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/2641 Title: Productivity growth in Irish agriculture Author: Matthews, Alan Abstract: Agricultural productivity growth is an important parameter in assessing the likely competitiveness of Irish agriculture in the more market-oriented environment that the industry will face in the next decade. Although growth in Irish agricultural output compares well with the performance of other EU countries, there is evidence that this growth has been unduly dependent on increased input use rather than increased productivity. Resource-intensive as opposed to knowledge-intensive growth is more likely to face diminishing returns over time. To evaluate this issue requires information on the rate and nature of agricultural productivity growth. This paper discusses the issues in constructing an index of total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Irish agriculture, presents an updated TFP series and discusses the implications for future policies dealing with agricultural innovation, structures and competitiveness. Description: Read before the Society, 18 May 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/2640 Title: Economic restructuring, urban change and regeneration: the case of Dublin Author: Drudy, P. J.; Punch, Michael Abstract: This paper examines the impact of international economic restructuring and globalisation in urban areas, with particular reference to Ireland’s capital city, Dublin. These trends, often depicted as unproblematic, have resulted in considerable polarisation between various social groups and areas, and new inequalities have emerged between “winners” and “losers”. In Dublin, as in other cities, the policy response has been largely a spatial one where “problem areas” have been designated for special assistance and new agencies have been established. The impact of the Designated Area Scheme in Dublin is evaluated, as is the record of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, whose remits included social and economic regeneration. The paper raises critical concerns about the developmental implications of these interventions, particularly with respect to inner-city communities, education, environmental impacts, land-price escalation and other urban pressures and conflicts. Description: Read before the Society, 6 April 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/2639 Title: Targeting need: a methodological review of a socioeconomic urban regeneration initiative in Belfast Author: McKibben, Tony Abstract: The problems of social exclusion currently occupy centre stage in the thinking of government in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Considerable efforts are being made to assess the extent of the problem and to formulate strategies to deal with it. While the present degree of activity might suggest to many that this is a newly discovered phenomenon, that is far from being the case. The problem of social exclusion, poverty, relative or multiple disadvantage - there are many and no agreed definition as to social exclusion (Hills, 1999) - is one which government in Northern Ireland have tried to alleviate for a considerable period of time. A particular challenge is ensuring that resources are targeted at those who are most in need. Drawing on the experiences of the Making Belfast Work (MBW) initiative this paper reviews the methodologies employed to identify and tackle deprivation within Belfast and illustrate how the lessons learnt will guide future intervention in this field. It will describe the methodologies used in both the targeting of the problem as well as the assessment of impact and the implication for future data requirements in the context of the New Targeting Social Need (New TSN) polic Description: Read before the Society, 6 April 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/1481 Title: Evaluating labour market interventions Author: O’Neill, Donal Abstract: The high growth rates experienced in Ireland over the last 10 years has resulted in a tightening of the labour market which is reflected in the number of unfilled vacancies reported by firms. At the same time wage inequality has increased leading to greater demands being placed on the government to tackle social exclusion. In response to these issues, recent governments have proposed a range of policies involving direct intervention in the labour market. Effective implementation of these policies requires careful monitoring and evaluation of their effects. This paper examines the procedures currently available for evaluating labour market interventions. The results of recent evaluations of minimum wages laws, reform of the benefit system and changes in working-time conditions are used to illustrate the methodologies involved. The paper also describes the data requirements of these methodologies and examines the currently available Irish labour market data in this light. Description: Read before the Society, 30 March 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/1480 Title: An experimental indicator to forecast turning points Author: Dalton, Padraig; Keogh, Gerard Abstract: The Business Cycle in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) describes the recurring cycles of expansion and slowdown in overall economic well being. A Composite Leading Indicator (CLI) is a small group of important economic indicators that can be used to predict likely future phases, or turning points, of the business cycle. The business cycle in the Irish economy is extracted in this paper using a combination of symmetric Henderson Moving Average filters. These filters are also applied to a broad range of economic indicator series that are then combined together, on the basis of cyclical conformity and lead time, to form an Experimental Composite Leading Indicator (XCLI). This exercise is undertaken for both annual and interpolated quarterly GDP data. The ability of the XCLI to predict future phases in the Irish business cycle in GDP is examined. Description: Read before the Society, 9 March 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/1479 Title: The importance of structural change in industry for growth Author: Walsh, Patrick Paul; Whelan, Ciara Abstract: The paper documents ongoing job creation and job destruction within 3- digit Irish manufacturing sectors over the period 1973 to 1994. Within sectors of low-technology manufacturing, this was due to the gradual development of historical export product lines and gradual decline in historical domestic oriented production. In contrast, the structural change in jobs within sectors of hightechnology manufacturing resulted from the gradual accumulation of foreign capital with new export product lines and a phasing out of inefficient import substituting industry. Ireland’s industrial performance is shown to be an outcome of such path dependent structural change. Description: Read before the Society, 25 November 1999 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/1477 Title: Volatility and the Euro: an Irish perspective Author: Cotter, John Abstract: How volatile is the euro currency? Given Ireland’s open economy status and its strong trading dependency on economies outside the euro area, understanding this question is vital. The paper analyses the volatility levels facing Irish economic agents by comparing the experiences from membership of the European Monetary System (EMS) through to the new single currency. The focus is on measuring volatility using two methodologies - Conditional Variance GARCH models and Extreme Value Theory models. It shows that whilst average volatility levels of the euro exceed the Irish pound’s experience within the EMS, the probability that fluctuations such as those that arose during the currency crises of 1992/93 now appear less likely to occur. Description: Read before the Society, 17 February 2000 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z