Informed Policy for a Better Ireland

Toddler with wooly hat, rain jacket and rain boots walking in autumn leaves in a park
Second-tier of child benefit has potential to take more than 40,000 children out of poverty

New research funded by Community Foundation Ireland, published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute has shown that child poverty could be reduced by a quarter – equivalent to taking over 40,000 children out of poverty – by introducing a means-tested second-tier of child benefit.

Semi detached red brick houses on estate
Housing research at the ESRI

The Institute's housing research focuses on supply and demand, the housing and mortgage market, investment, rental affordability, credit access, and the impact of all these issues on various population demographics, including migrant communities.

2023 research in this area looked at healthcare coverage for renters and the impact of poor housing conditions on children’s health and development.

Barista wearing green apron making a coffee
Minimum wage

Publications mainly from the Labour Markets and Skills research area on policies relating to minimum wage and low pay in Ireland.

climate protest taking place in city centre
Climate

Human behaviour, the economic impact, taxation interventions - the ESRI's work on climate change covers a breadth of topics and spans across our dedicated research areas. 

Hands type on a laptop keyboard with a stethoscope resting in photo foreground
Health

Our health research focuses on key policy issues such as appropriate financing models to deliver high-quality health care and identifying the causes of persistent inequalities in healthcare outcomes across socioeconomic groups.

Research Areas

The mission of the Economic and Social Research Institute is to advance evidence-based policymaking that supports economic sustainability and social progress in Ireland. ESRI researchers apply the highest standards of academic excellence to challenges facing policymakers, focusing on 10 areas of critical importance to 21st Century Ireland.