Chairman’s Blog | Public Policy, Public Expenditure & GNP | Independent Thinking on Public Policy Issues

in: News and Archive | 24 May 2022

Is Ireland’s Tax System Progressive ?

In his opinion column on 29 September Fintan O’Toole asserts that the claim that Ireland’s tax system is the most progressive is “not true at all. It is, literally not even a half-truth”. Fintan’s view that “The whole claim to having the most progressive tax system depends on ignoring the highly regressive nature of indirect…
in: News and Archive | 26 Mar 2018

Reflections on 6 Years of Public Policy

The time has come for us to close our doors as our funding from Atlantic Philanthropies has been exhausted.
We end with some final thoughts.
in: News and Archive | 23 Mar 2018

Underemployed Part-time Workers

Employment increased by almost 70,000 (3.1%) in the year to Q4 2017. Over 115,000 part-time workers would like to work more than they currently do.

Irish Health Spending

10 Dec 2015

Current health spending in Ireland in 2013 was €18.4 billion or 12.4 % of GNI. This appears relatively high by EU standards given the age structure of our population.

How Does Ireland’s Health System Compare With OECD Countries?
2 Dec 2015

Ireland’s health system is compared with that of the rest of the OECD in this note.
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Is Ireland’s Tax System Progressive ?
18 Nov 2015

In his opinion column in the Irish Times on 29/9/2015 Fintan O’Toole asserts that the claim that Ireland’s tax system is the most progressive is “not true at all……….” What is the evidence?
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Action Needed On Pension Sustainability
2 Nov 2015

Ireland’s State pension system ranks 6th in a survey of 25 countries for adequacy. However, there are doubts over its sustainability, where it is ranked 20th of 25 countries.
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Direct Provision For Asylum Seekers
22 Oct 2015

Ireland’s system of Direct Provision has recently been declared ‘unfit for purpose. This note looks at the current system and the Working Group recommendations.
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Reform Of Universal Social Charge Is Necessary #Budget16
13 Oct 2015

The USC should apply equally to all. Reforms are needed to achieve this.
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Irish Water : The Importance Of Staying The Course
26 Nov 2015

Irish Water has made significant progress in a short period. Abolishing Irish Water and removing domestic water charges would be a mistake and set back the prospects of having water services fit for a modern economy.
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Work Incentives (Updated)
11 Nov 2015

The disincentives to work for people with low skills are high and need to be reduced.
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Local Property Tax Variations – 2016
27 Oct 2015

This note considers the impact of the decision to vary the basic rate (0.18%) of the Local Property Tax (LPT) by local authorities for 2016.
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Local Authority Site Wins Prestigious Global Award
19 Oct 2015

World Summit Awards declares our local Government finances website a winner.
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How Drug Prices Are Set in Ireland
21 Sep 2015

The increase in the costs of drugs in Ireland and the perception that prices are higher than in other countries has raised concerns about how these prices are set.
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