Peasantry and the search for the Irish welfare state

Abstract

This thesis attempts to provide a reconceptualisation of the origins of Irish social policy. It begins by trying to place Ireland in the comparative debates on 'worlds of welfare'. It proceeds further by using established texts to provide what may be characterised as a standard account of social policy development in Ireland. This is followed by the use of three typologies of the Irish welfare system intended to encompass the range of influences currently thought to have had a bearing on Irish social policy development. The chapter then closes with a review o f the implementation of the Unemployment Assistance Act (1933). The provision of unem ployment assistance would generally be viewed as a standard instrument of social security policy. However, this small case study on unemployment seems to raise interesting questions regarding the consideration given by policy makers to the role and interests of the peasantry in its operation.