As a prelude to a more detailed discussion about the household debt crisis in subsequent posts, I’d like to present a few graphs that should become central to the debate. …

Public sector pensions – is there any three-word formulation more likely to angry up the blood?  Not likely (except, maybe, ‘public sector pay’).  Mention public sector pensions in polite company…

We are on the verge of avoiding the fundamental issue regarding the childcare crisis; namely, that a private sector model of delivering childcare will keep the service beyond the reach…

Unemployment falling to 13.7 percent.   Employment increasing by 20,000.  THe CSO's new Quarterly National Houshould Survey should be good news.  So why isn’t it?  When we dig a little under…

The CSO release two sets of data yesterday which shows show why we are into a period of what Tom Healy, Director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, described as…

Apologies for my long absence – all sorts of work to be done which meant this blog had to be parked for a while (a lot of work being done…

Haven  / ha-ven:  (n) a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter.  [Old English hæfen, from Old Norse höfn; related to Middle Dutch havene, Old Irish cuan to bend].  Example:  ‘Ireland…

With considerable speculation about an impending deal on bank debt, with the Taoiseach and the German Chancellor jointly stating that Ireland is a ‘special case’, it is helpful to remind…

With negotiations over an extension of the Croke Park Agreement starting today, it is helpful to remind ourselves how daft it is to downsize the public sector payroll in the…

The Government seems to have done a U-turn on the issue of tax exiles.  Despite the Programme for Government’s commitment on the issue, the Sunday Business Post reports that following…

Am taking a break from the blog until the first week of January.  Wishing all readers the very best in this holdiay season.  Rest up.  There is plenty of work…

In defending Budget 2013 Labour has argued that it contained €500 million in a ‘wealth tax package’ or revenue from taxation on high income groups.   This, goes the argument, is…

This post was originally written for TheJournal.ie Child Benefit cuts, PRSI rises, respite care cuts, property tax, pension caps (eventually) – how does the budget look when we stand back…

Whatever about the leaks, the underlying thinking in much commentary and policy analysis shows why some people will get hit very hard.  Yes, those on social protection should look out…

The Independent has published leaked budget proposals (but, as always, check against delivery).  There are three issues covered:  cuts in Child Benefit and medical card prescription charges, and the imminent…

The Troika is at it again – putting pressure on the Government to do something.  This time the ‘something‘ is to introduce more means-testing.   ‘The Irish Times understands that the…

Even the Government admits their policies are having little effect on job creation.  They expect unemployment to remain at 13 percent by 2015, a fall of only one percentage point…

One of the keys to an alternative budgetary strategy is to stop cutting current public spending.  This would provide an opportunity to re-direct or re-invest productivity gains and spending efficiencies…

How many times do we hear from those who criticise the critics of austerity – ‘well, what’s your alternative.’  That the alternative has been outlined and measured by a number…

The following is a statement from eleven service-support workers who were made redundant by Chartered Accountants Ireland.  In the grand scheme of things it may be a small story –…