http://hdl.handle.net/2262/2820 2013-05-24T05:55:15Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8964 Title: The economic and social implications of demographic change Author: Fahey, Tony; FitzGerald, John D.; Maitre, Bertrand Abstract: This Society was founded in the midst of the population crisis caused by the Famine. No crisis on the scale of the Famine occurred again in the Society’s history, but various forms of demographic “weakness”, such as high emigration, low natural increase and falling population totals, recurred frequently both as facts of life in Ireland and as concerns of the Society. At certain points in the present century, concerns about demographic weakness surfaced elsewhere in Europe, particularly in connection with the widespread fertility decline and the consequent fears of population decline which occurred in a number of European countries between the first and second world wars. More typically, however, Ireland was exceptional for the extent and duration of its population problems, of which its inability to sustain, much less increase, its population numbers was the most fundamental. Description: Read before the Society, 26 March 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8691 Title: Education and economic performance in the OECD countries: an elusive relationship? Author: Martin, John P. Abstract: One of the most common political mantras to-day is that education is the handmaiden of economic growth and prosperity. Politicians like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair constantly trumpet the need to invest in education and training of the work force, and improve the quality of that investment, in order to compete effectively in to-day’s increasingly globalised and knowledge-intensive world economy. Population ageing which is set to hit many OECD and non-OECD economies over the next few decades will also increase the pressure on individuals and firms to invest more in upgrading their skills and competences in order to maintain productivity growth and living standards in the future. Thus, investment in education and training, so-called “human capital accumulation”, is once again the political flavour of the month. Description: Read before the Society, 19 February 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8690 Title: Symposium on the economic returns to education Author: Walsh, Brendan M. Abstract: In my contribution to this Symposium I wish to explore two main themes. The first deals with the contribution of education to economic growth at the macro level. In this part I shall discuss the evidence of the importance of education – or human capital formation – as a determinant of the cross-country differences in living standards and rates of economic growth. The second topic I wish to develop is the measurement of the return to education at the level of the individual. In my review of both themes I shall refer to the policy implications and show how Ireland relates to the international experience. Description: Read before the Society, 19 February 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8689 Title: Symposium on the economic returns to education Author: Hyland, Áine Abstract: The Second Programme for Economic Expansion, published in 1963, was the first public acknowledgement by the Irish government that expenditure on education was an investment in the nation’s future. It was to be many years before those so-called increasing returns were to be quantified. The two previous speakers here this evening have given striking examples of the economic return on education both in this country and in countries of the OECD. It is not my intention in this short input to repeat the points that they have already made. Nor do I intend to provide a smug, self-satisfied résumé of the success of our education system in achieving these outcomes. Without in any way taking from the successes of the system, my focus this evening will be on the underachievers and the so-called ‘failures’ of the system and on the moral and economic imperative facing us in the years ahead to eradicate the factors which have contributed and continue to contribute to this problem. Description: Read before the Society, 19 February 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8658 Title: Foreword by Professor Dermot McAleese on the occasion of his presidential address Author: McAleese, Dermot Abstract: This is a good year to be celebrating the 150th anniversary of our Society! The Irish economy continues to boom and prospects remain bright. At first many were sceptical about the Celtic Tiger (as Morgan Stanley christened it). Was it all skin and no substance? But, as record after record has been broken, the sceptics have been silenced. The statistics show GNP growth averaging over 8 per cent since 1994. Between 1994 and 1999, real GNP is projected to increase by two-thirds. Growth in numbers employed has reached unprecedented rates, the national finances are regaining health, the balance of payments remains positive, and inflation remains relatively dormant. In a landmark judgement, the Department of Finance recently declared itself “comfortable” with the economy’s performance and the public finances. And to cap all this good news on the economic front, we have the suspension of violence in Northern Ireland. Description: Read before the Society, 16 October 1997 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8619 Title: The Northern Ireland census of population and housing: looking back and looking forward Author: Caven, Norman; Evans, Trevor; Beatty, Robert Abstract: A census of population and housing, even in a country as small as Northern Ireland, is a major undertaking and much time, effort and resources are devoted to it. At a national level it is the largest single statistical exercise carried out by government - indeed at one stage during the 1991 census around 150,000 people were employed on it in the United Kingdom as a whole. Data collected in a census have many uses - foremost perhaps being the provision of an accurate population count at local level. In addition, the rich detail of census data provides essential information to plan and deliver services to the population as a whole and various subgroups within it, including those most in need. Description: Read before the Society, 12 March 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8598 Title: Profits and wages in Ireland, 1987-1996 Author: Lane, Philip R. Abstract: A striking feature of the Irish economic resurgence since 1987 has been a major factor income shift away from labour and towards capital. (The profit share has increased from 25.1 per cent in 1987 to 34.8 per cent in 1996.) In this paper, we examine the role of the national strategy of wage moderation in explaining this shift, consider its potential benefits and ask whether it is sustainable. We highlight the critical role of fiscal policy in minimising the trade-off between the returns to capital and labour. Finally, imminent membership of a European Monetary Union makes it all the more important not to overshoot the equilibrium rate of wage growth for the Irish economy. Description: Read before the Society, 7 May 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8523 Title: The development of official Irish statistics Author: Linehan, T. P. Abstract: The trail of the development of and responsibility for Official Statistics that I am following in this presentation starts effectively from the Larcom involvement in the 1841 Census of Population (Section 2) and leads to: (a) the Registrar-General’s Office (from 1851) (Section 3); (b) the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland (from 1900) (Section 4); (c) the Statistics Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce (from 1923) (Section 5); (d) the setting up in 1949, albeit on a non-statutory basis, of the CSO attached to the Department of the Taoiseach; followed by two significant events (Section 6): membership of the European Economic Communities in 1973; setting up of the National Statistics Board in 1986; (e) finally to 1994 when the Central Statistics Office and the National Statistics Board and the Director General of CSO were established on a statutory basis (Section 7). During all this period the scope of “official statistics” widened considerably and the degree of centralised responsibility increased significantly. Description: Read before the Society, 22 January 1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8521 Title: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland: one hundred and fifty first session – 1997/98 Author: SSISI Description: One hundred and fifty first session – 1997/1998 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/5879 Title: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland: one hundred and fiftieth session -1996/97 Author: SSISI 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z