Recovery and Resilience Plan – Chapter “Investment projects” – Opinion No. 2,205 (Joint opinion of the National Labour Council and the Central Economic Council)
Recovery and Resilience Plan – Chapter “Investment projects” – Opinion No. 2,205 (Joint opinion of the NLC and the CEC): FR
Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland (149)
How do you manage a transition to a fundamentally new economic future? This question had been the focus of work at the National Economic and Social Council in the months and weeks before Covid-19.
The Council’s work focused on how to manage the transition associated with climate change and digital automation. These challenges will endure beyond the current crisis and the Council have identified recommendations which will help Ireland address these and embrace the significant the opportunities. These are contained in this report.
Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland: GA
Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland (149): GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Economy and Finance
Local Policies
Secretariat Paper 23_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Good-Jobs Agenda
ood jobs are needed on all parts of the island of Ireland. ‘Poor’ jobs, low pay and precarious forms of employment are not new and digitisation, climate transition and globalisation have the potential to create more. The Covid-19 highlighted the high societal value placed on jobs in sectors such as healthcare, social care, public transport, retail, hospitality, and other essential services. However, for many individuals these jobs are low-income and higher risk.
‘Good jobs’ policy aims to tackle these sources of deepening labour market inequality. A new NESC Secretariat Paper explains that a ‘good jobs’ agenda is a drive to improve the quality and productivity of work and the experiences, incomes and standard of living of workers. The agenda is focused on measures and actions to improve job quality within the labour market. The paper draws on interviews with stakeholders in Ireland and Northern Ireland and finds strong support for an all-island approach to ‘good-jobs’.
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Good-Jobs Agenda: GA
Secretariat Paper 23_Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy The Good-Jobs Agenda: GA
Opinions
Belgium
CNT-NAR
Labour
COVID 19 – Employment law measures – Draft law – Opinion No. 2,204
COVID 19 – Employment law measures – Draft law – Opinion No. 2,204: FR
Promotional activities with regard to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises – Proposed framework – Opinion No. 2,203
Promotional activities with regard to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises: FR
Research Paper 20_Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Ireland and the Agricultural Sector
There is a prevailing narrative around the decline of rural areas in Ireland. This is not unique to the Irish context with international studies also looking at concerns around rural vitality. This narrative is associated predominately with a decline in the agricultural sector, urbanisation and the decline of opportunities in rural areas. This paper aims to quantitatively establish how rural areas have changed and qualitatively identify opportunities based on a group of an expert group.
Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Ireland and the Agricultural Sector: GA
Research Paper 20_Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Ireland and the Agricultural Sector: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Local Policies
Secretariat Paper 22_Community Call: Learning for the Future
Community Call has been an experiment in partnership between national and local government, and the community and voluntary sector. It was set up at great speed in response to a major public health emergency. It delivered co-ordinated support to vulnerable people remaining at home during Covid-19 lockdowns.
This paper looks at how Community Call was established, how it has developed, and the learning from this innovative programme.
Secretariat Paper 22_Community Call: Learning for the Future: GA
Advisory Reports
Ireland
NESC
Others
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy Scoping Paper (153)
The Department of the Taoiseach has asked the National Economic and Social
Council to produce a comprehensive report on the Shared Island in 2021, to inform
the development of the Shared Island initiative as a whole-of-government priority.
The NESC research will contribute to building a shared knowledge base and
understanding about possible ways in which greater co-operation can emerge
across a number of economic, social and environmental areas in Ireland, North and
South, and also between these islands East and West.
The research will seek to engage with all communities and traditions on this island
to build consensus around a shared future, with a focus on actionable areas of cooperation. The work will be underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement and
absolute respect for the principle of consent. The research will not address the
constitutional question, but will focus on sustainable economic, social and
environmental development issues, in line with NESC’s strategic remit.
Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy Scoping Paper: GA
Advisory Reports
Ireland
NESC
Climate Change
Grounding the Recovery in Sustainable Development: A Statement from the Council (152)
In Ireland and globally, governments are grappling with how to bring about a
recovery from the impacts of Covid-19. The context for action is still evolving, and
uncertainty remains about the medical and epidemiological course of the pandemic.
The scale of the urgency and level of transformative change required to deliver on
Ireland’s 2030 climate targets and the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be
overstated.
However, there is strong agreement at EU level and in Ireland that the response to
the Covid-19 crisis can also be used to tackle long-standing economic, social and
environmental challenges. Given the scale of investment needed to address the
impacts of Covid-19, there may be a ‘once in a century’ moment to reset towards a
low-carbon and resilient economy, rather than return to normal.
This Statement from the Council stresses the importance of grounding the recovery
in sustainable development. It should be considered alongside the Council’s other
work on economic and social issues and that of the Secretariat on the Covid-19
crisis.
Grounding the Recovery in Sustainable Development: A Statement from the Council: GA
Reports
Ireland
NESC
Climate Change
Secretariat Paper 21_Shared Island Consultation: Climate and Biodiversity Challenges and Opportunities
As part of the Shared Island project, a Consultation Paper on Climate and Biodiversity Challenges and Opportunities was available in the first quarter of 2021. It provides an overview of the current state of knowledge and prevailing policy approaches for climate and biodiversity, in Ireland and Northern Ireland, touching also on UK, EU and international policies. Through a consultation process, the work will seek to incorporate the understandings of key stakeholders and form part of wider dialogue and engagement on the all-island dimensions of climate and biodiversity.
NESC invited contributions and submissions to help inform this work and provide insights as to which of the areas outlined should be incorporated into its next phase of this research. This Consultation is Now Closed.
Shared Island Consultation: Climate and Biodiversity Challenges and Opportunities: GA
Secretariat Paper 21_Shared Island Consultation: Climate and Biodiversity Challenges and Opportunities: GA
Opinions
Belgium
CNT-NAR
Labour
Social Policies
Introduction of a leave of absence for the COVID-19 vaccination – Opinion No. 2,199
Introduction of a leave of absence for the COVID-19 vaccination – Opinion No. 2,199: FR
Proposal of the European Commission of 28 October 2020 – Conventional nature of the Belgian minimum wage system for the private sector – Opinion No. 2,197
Proposal of the European Commission of 28.10.2020–Conventional nature of the Belgian minimum wage system for the private sector: FR
Train season ticket prices from 1st February 2021 – Opinion No. 2,194 (Joint opinion of the National Labour Council and the Central Economic Council)
Train season ticket prices from 1st February 2021 – Opinion No. 2,194 (Joint opinion of the NLB and the CEC: FR
Train season ticket prices from 1st February 2021 – Opinion No. 2,194 (Joint opinion of the NLC and the CEC: NL
Opinions
Ireland
NESC
Immigration
Research Paper 18_The Impacts of Covid-19 on Ethnic Minority and Migrant Groups in Ireland
This paper outlines key impacts of Covid-19 on ethnic minority and migrant groups in Ireland. It presents an overview of available data, and identifies areas for further work.
The paper provides some contextual information first, followed by an outline of issues arising for ethnic minority and migrant groups in relation to Covid-19 in the areas of employment and income, housing, health and well-being, education, immigration services, and discriminatory attitudes.
A number of the problematic issues arising for these groups during the pandemic stem from pre-existing disadvantage experienced by migrants and Irish people of colour. However a range of supports have been put in place which aim to address some of the issues which negatively affect migrants and ethnic minorities during the pandemic.
The Impacts of Covid-19 on Ethnic Minority and Migrant Groups in Ireland: GA
Research Paper 18_The Impacts of Covid-19 on Ethnic Minority and Migrant Groups in Ireland: GA