http://hdl.handle.net/2262/37788 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:56:27 GMT 2013-05-19T12:56:27Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36186 Title: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland: one hundred and sixty-second session: 2008/2009 Author: SSISI Abstract: The first meeting of the Society was held at 6:00pm on Thursday 2nd October 2008 in the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin. The President, Dr Donal de Buitleir, was in the Chair, and he held the first of two required votes on the proposed amendments to the Society‘s Laws and Constitution. Description: Proceedings of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland - one hundred and sixty-second session: 2008/2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36186 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36166 Title: Well-being under conditions of abundance: Ireland from 1990-2007 Author: Delaney, Liam Abstract: This paper examines the health and well-being of the Irish population in the late 20th century, the period popularly referred to as the Celtic Tiger. This period saw unprecedented increases in economic activity in Ireland. Using statistical data from administrative and survey sources, I examine whether this period of growth improved well-being and welfare in Ireland. The paper draws from theories of the development of societies such as those of Fogel and Easterlin, as well as theories from behavioural economics and econometric techniques to examine this question. In particular, I examine the extent to which Ireland fits into a pattern of declining correlation between GDP and well-being at later stages of development, a phenomenon known as the Easterlin Paradox. I also examine the extent to which individual well-being is predicted by income as compared to other aspects of welfare such as health and employment status. Description: Barrington Lecture read before the Society, September 13th, 2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36166 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36154 Title: HealthStat: measuring the performance of the Irish public health service Author: Turner, Mark Abstract: HealthStat is a tool for measuring the performance of the Irish public health service. It consists of a data collection process, the production of performance statistics in graphical dashboard format and a monthly accountability forum that invites a rotating selection of service delivery units. HealthStat ran in pilot phase throughout 2008. Performance dashboards for 29 general and regional hospitals were first published in the public domain on 23rd March 2009. HealthStat will extend to all remaining hospitals and to community health and social care services during 2009. This paper describes, from a health information perspective, the background to HealthStat, the challenges faced and the way ahead. Description: read before the Society April 30th, 2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36154 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36152 Title: Exploring population projections: sources of uncertainty and the user perspective Author: Dignan, Tony Abstract: Government population projections are typically underpinned by a set of assumptions based on what has happened in the past, informed by expert opinion on what the future holds. The assumptions made are inevitably subject to uncertainty e.g. trends may change unexpectedly. This seminar considers sources of uncertainty in recent population projections for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, both national and sub-national. Past experience with population projections is examined to illustrate the effects of changing trends and economic circumstances. The seminar then looks at sources of uncertainty in the most recent 2006-based projections. The concluding remarks discuss the management of uncertainty. Description: read before the Society, April 22nd, 2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36152 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36150 Title: Towards regional environmental accounts for Ireland Author: Commins, Nicola; Crilly, Niamh; Lyons, Sean; Morgenroth, Edgar; TOL, RICHARD S. J. Abstract: Existing environmental accounts for the Republic of Ireland are at the national level. This is fine for continental and global environmental problems, but information at a finer spatial scale is needed for local environmental problems. Furthermore, the impact of environmental policy may differ across space. We therefore construct regional estimates of the environmental pressures posed by Irish households and the environmental problems faced by them. The basic unit of analysis is the electoral district, and the prime data source is the CSO��_��_��_s Small Area Statistics, a product of the Census. We use the results of classifying regressions of the Household Budget Survey to impute domestic energy use. We use engineering relations to impute transport fuel use, and secondary data on household behaviour to impute waste arisings. We use EPA data on drinking water use and quality by county. The results show marked regional differences. Electricity use and waste arisings are higher in the East and in the cities and towns. Transport fuel use is highest in the commuter belts around the cities and towns. Other energy is relatively uniform. There is no clear pattern in estimated drinking water use, which may be due to data quality. Drinking water quality is poor across much of the country, but different counties suffer from different problems. The regional estimates are constructed using data in the public domain. However, various government agencies hold data that would allow for the construction of more detailed, more accurate, and more extensive regional environmental accounts. Description: read before the Society, March 10th, 2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36150 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36146 Title: Pension insecurity in Ireland Author: Moloney, Michael; Whelan, Shane Abstract: The annual amount of the state subsidy to occupational and private pensions in Ireland is double that previously believed and is of the same order as the total annual payments under the state flat-rate contributory and non-contributory pension schemes. We ask: does the state get value-for-money from these subsidies? To answer the question we introduce the fair value approach to value pension entitlements. The current regulatory regime is shown to be very weak, with the security of pension entitlements of those in private sector employment below that of investment grade debt (so the pension promise if tradeable would have junk status). We suggest and analyse measures to improve members‘ security. We recommend that an explicit percentage of the fair value of pension entitlements be made a debt on the sponsoring employer and that there should be regular disclosure to members of the level of security backing their pension entitlement. The former only gives a minor increase in security in an Irish context but the latter incentivises members to make other provision for their retirement. We conclude by suggesting that the state has a larger role to play in pension provision in Ireland in the 21st century than it played in the last century. Description: read before the Society, January 20th, 2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36146 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36133 Title: Exploring the economic geography of Ireland Author: Morgenroth, Edgar Abstract: Only a few research papers have analysed the spatial distribution of economic activity in Ireland. There are a number of reasons for this, not least the fact that comprehensive data on the location of economic activity by sector across all sectors has not been available at the highly disaggregated spatial level. This paper firstly establishes the geographic distribution of employment at the 2 digit NACE level, using a novel approach that utilises a special tabulation from the CSO 2006 Census of Population Place of Work Anonymised Records (POWCAR). It then analyses the spatial patterns of this distribution using maps and more formal methods such measures of spatial concentration and tests for spatial autocorrelation. The paper considers the locational preferences of individual sectors, the degree to which specific sectors agglomerate and co-agglomerate, and thus will uncover urbanisation effects and differences across urban and rural areas regarding economic activity. Description: read before the Society, December 11th, 2008 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36133 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36127 Title: Family businesses in the Irish services sector: profile and productivity Author: MacFeely, Steve; O‘Brien, Caitriona Abstract: Most family businesses are small, engage less than 10 persons and trade in the more traditional industries, such as the distributive trades or hospitality industries. Family businesses export less product, generate a lower proportion of their turnover from Internet sales and typically have a lower Gross Value Added (GVA) per employee than non-family businesses. Nevertheless, these family businesses make a significant contribution to the services sector, accounting for more than 46% of all non-financial traded services enterprises. They are almost exclusively Irish owned, employ over a quarter of a million persons and account for 40% of all persons engaged. In 2005, family businesses in the services sectors generated an aggregate turnover in excess of €49 billion. Yet according to international studies these family businesses have in or around a 60% probability of failure as they transfer from first to second generation ownership, potentially putting thousands of jobs at risk. Description: read before the Society, October 2nd, 2008 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2262/36127 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z