From Celtic Tiger to crisis: progress, problems and prospects for social security in Ireland

Hick, Rod ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1218-0809 2014. From Celtic Tiger to crisis: progress, problems and prospects for social security in Ireland. Social Policy and Administration 48 (4) , pp. 394-412. 10.1111/spol.12067

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Abstract

This article provides an assessment of the impact of changes to social security in Ireland during both the Celtic Tiger and crisis periods, comparing change in social security rates relative to prices and to median equivalized net income. It is argued that, contrary to some commentary, there was progress in terms of social welfare generosity during the Celtic Tiger years, despite Ireland adopting a low-tax economic model. However, in the latter years of the Celtic Tiger period, this progress was increasingly leveraged against precarious property-related taxes. Following the collapse of the housing bubble, the bank guarantee and the bailout, there has been substantial retrenchment of social security, both in terms of cuts to some of the primary social welfare payments, tightening of scheme rules as well as more direct cuts to less visible schemes. The article provides an assessment of these changes, ending on a cautionary note in arguing that the prospects for the future do not augur well given Ireland's continued commitment to a low-tax economic model.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0144-5596
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	2 July 2014
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 23:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/71697

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