Socioeconomy

Time for a New Social Contract – Policy Options for a More Equal Society

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Covid-19 has highlighted things that are profoundly amiss with our Social Contract. Once the pandemic has been addressed successfully it is crucial that we face up to the radical reforms that are required if we are to deliver a new social contract based on the principles of justice and fairness, with sustainability at its core.

Social dialogue and social contract in a world at fever pitch: what are the chances?

Monday, 30 November 2020

How normal was the world before Covid-19? The last decade has been anything but normal – whether viewed at national or European level, or in broader geopolitical terms. We, as a planet, face a choice between attempting to develop responses cognitively through a new dialogue, political and social, or simply marching on, brainless, based on some notion of the old normal.

A Fairer Future requires A New Social Dialogue Building a Better Future Social Justice Ireland’s Annual Social Policy Conference

Wednesday, 18 November 2020

“Ireland, and indeed the planet, face several crises ranging from pandemic to pollution to poverty; a situation where ‘business as usual’ can mean only social and environmental catastrophe. We have reached a point where adoption of a new Social Contract is surely a necessity. All sectors of Irish society should be engaged in an ongoing Social Dialogue to decide how best to proceed” –stated Dr Seán Healy, in his opening address to Social Justice Ireland’s annual policy conference today (Wednesday, 18th November).

Social fairness and solidarity vital to European recovery

Monday, 16 November 2020

Social fairness and solidarity are more important than ever in the European Union if it is to meet the challenges of demographic ageing, climate change and digitalisation and deal with the aftermath of Covid-19. This is according to the latest 'Employment and Social Developments in Europe Report ‘Fairness and Solidarity in the European Social Market Economy’.

Appropriate fiscal stance imperative for Budget 2021

Friday, 25 September 2020

For the years 2020-2022, or until Ireland reaches full employment (if earlier than 2022), the fiscal stance adopted by Ireland should be determined by an unemployment target, rather than a deficit target, in recognition of the role domestic demand plays in sustaining domestic employment. The State should begin to plan now for the additional tax measures necessary, over the long-term, to finance the Government expenditure required to finance universal services and income supports for our citizens.

Building a New Social Contract - this time no-one must be left behind

Monday, 14 September 2020

The National Economic Plan - to be published on Budget day - must give equal weight to environmental, social and economic considerations. Otherwise, this Government will simply repeat the mistakes of the past and many will be left behind. The National Economic Plan must be underpinned by a new social contract that treats our environment, society and economy equally

National Accounts hide the scale of this recession

Friday, 11 September 2020

Ireland's Quarterly National Accounts, published earlier this week, serve to underline the detachment between many of Ireland's headline economic statistics and life on the ground.

The dangers of Brexit have not gone away

Friday, 21 August 2020

Brexit has the potential to even further reduce the living standards of Ireland's most vulnerable. A sudden increase in food prices will hit lower income households hardest. Here's why.

Conference Proceedings: A New Social Contract, A New Social Dialogue: Building a Better Future

Tuesday, 18 August 2020

On Wednesday, 18th November 2020 Social Justice Ireland held its Annual Social Policy Conference entitled A New Social Contract, A New Social Dialogue: Building a Better Future. This conference featured presentations by national and international experts as well as a panel discussion with representatives of the five pillars of Social Partnership. All presentations given on the day are contained within this book of conference proceedings.

Sustainable Capital Spending will support investment and recovery

Monday, 3 August 2020

One of the objectives of Budget 2021 must be to support demand through Government capital expenditure. In order to support investment and recovery, it is important that this capital spending is sustainable.