Policy Briefs

Cycling is increasingly recognised as a key mode in reducing the environmental impact of transport, promoting physical activity and developing the tourism sector. The provision of safe and attractive cycling routes is an important part of encouraging uptake of cycling. Greenways, as traffic-free trails, are fast becoming a feature of the landscape with an emphasis… | Read on »

Newer technologies such as mobile devices and the internet are ubiquitous in modern society. Health related behaviour change driven by such technologies has grown exponentially in recent years with downloads for health and lifestyle related mobile applications or “apps” expected to exceed 25 billion in 2015 and 50 billion in 2017. This presents a unique… | Read on »

The Irish government and the European Union engaged in an extensive series of investment programmes in transport infrastructure during the 1990s and 2000s using EU structural funds and Irish government exchequer funding. The provision of regional airports can provide regions and communities with fast access to national and international transport networks that are necessary for… | Read on »

Local councils in Ireland experienced the same boom and bust conditions that the national government and the general economy witnessed since 2007/8. Whereas the public finances of central government have been subject to much research and debate, the same level of scrutiny was not applied to subnational government and local public finances. Yet, local government… | Read on »

Bio-Economy Input-Output Model The Bio-Economy is an important domestic sector for Ireland. It focuses on the economic activity attributable to the utilisation of our land and sea resources. Activity in the Bio-Economy is physically tied to domestic natural resources and consequently relies on a greater proportion of domestically sourced inputs in contrast with more mobile… | Read on »

Prescription contraception Prescription contraceptives e.g. oral contraceptives and long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants, are the most effective methods of contraception. LARCs are the most effective and cost- effective method of prescription contraception, however there are significant financial barriers in the Republic of Ireland compared with other jurisdictions. Prescription… | Read on »