Ireland has received bumper corporation tax revenue over the past decade, something which has puzzled many economists. Rest of blog available here: https://www.tasc.ie/blog/2022/09/28/irelands-corporation-tax-revenue-is-set-for-a-larg ..read more

A blog I wrote for Tasc’s Progressive Economy on measuring the number of digital platform workers can be found here ..read more

In Ireland, the price level of consumer goods and services are 40% above the EU average. Why is this the case? Our high prices are almost entirely due to the high cost of services (which includes renting a home) rather than goods (figure below). The price of goods in Ireland is largely in line with other European countries, with the exception of alcohol and tobacco. Since 2003, goods prices have improved … (Click here to read the rest of the blog: https://www.tasc.ie/blog/2022/06/30/why-is-ireland-such-a-highcost-country ..read more

Last week, a friend felt somewhat flushed and wondered if it was a fever due to COVID-19 or simply the unusually warm weather outside. Fortunately, a PCR test showed he was free of COVID-19. At the same time the Irish economy has been overheating with many pointing to outside causes. However, a closer examination shows the Irish economy is not as lucky… Blog available here: https://www.tasc.ie/blog/2022/01/24/global-inflation-masks-homegrown-problems ..read more

ECOSCOPE by Rory O’Farrell, Slovenia Desk, OECD Economics Department While workers in many OECD countries are worried whether robots will take their jobs, the inhabitants of the Slovenian town of Kočevje are less concerned. In 2016 Japanese robotics firm, Yaskawa, announced plans to produce robots in Kočevje, which could create up to 200 jobs. This is a continuation of a pattern seen since independence whereby Slovenia has continued to shift from traditional manufacturing to business services and high-tech production. However, not all Slovenians have been included in this progress. Modernisa ..read more

Just as giving the wrong medicine can harm a patient, taking the wrong economic measures can worsen the effects of the current recession. Already a growing number of economists, such as Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf, are showing scepticism at government plans to boost consumer spending through measures such as through VAT cuts… Opinion piece I wrote for The Irish Times available here ..read more

by Rory O’Farrell, Economics, OECD Economics Department Today’s post is also being published by the OECD Insights Blog There is little new about the ‘gig economy’. The word ‘gig’ originates from 1920s jazz musicians who played a small concert or ‘engagement’ at a venue. Dolly Parton may have sung about working 9 to 5, but […] via The gig economy will not abolish working 9 to 5 — OECD ECOSCOPE ..read more

by Rory O’Farrell, Slovenia Desk, OECD Economics Department Slovenia would do well if its economy performed as well as its ski-jumpers. In 2015, Slovenian Peter Prevc became the first ski-jumper in history to jump 250 metres. As impressive has been his ability to land successfully, being among the few jumpers to receive a perfect 20 […] via The Slovenian economy is bouncing back — OECD ECOSCOPE ..read more

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. “Dietician” is the legally protected term. “Dietician” is like “dentist”, and “nutritionist” is like “tooth-i-ologist. – Dara Ó Briain. In a recent initiative the Irish Economic Association have established Guiding Principles for Members. Included is the principle that “Members shall practice within the limits of their competence and only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical field involved.” This is to be welcomed. However, I believe that economists need to go further. Anyone can call themselves an economist. Unlike ac ..read more

In many ways the recession hit young men hardest. Employment in the male dominated construction sector collapsed, while employment in the more female public sector was relatively stable. As a result young men were most likely to emigrate. The result has been the  ratio of men to women (the sex-ratio) for those aged 25-34 fell to the lowest level since records began. If this age group were in a nightclub for every 100 women, there would be only 93 men. While this may not seem dramatic, the figure is even more depressing for single women hoping to be in a relationship with a man*. Though ..read more