ECON20060 Irish Economy: Policy Making in a Global Context

Academic Year 2024/2025

This level two module has a strong policy focus. It is designed to generate an interest in and foster an understanding of the main features, performance and associated policy issues of the Irish Economy. Over the past 30 years alone, the economy of Ireland has experienced a Celtic Tiger boom, a recession, an economic recovery, followed by the ongoing challenges that have emerged as a result of Brexit, a global pandemic, global conflicts, and the drive for sustainable development.

Ireland’s economic performance is shaped by government policy within the context of domestic and international developments. This is evident in the overview of the evolution of the Irish economy over the 20th century to the present day. Using a framework for economic policy analysis which extends to the need to incorporate the need for Sustainable Development, we examine contemporary policy issues in topics such as the Care Economy; the Education sector; Poverty and Inequality; Manufacturing and International Traded Services; etc.

A key innovation in this module is the integration of Sustainable Development, with Sustainable Development Goals goals both directly and indirectly linked to each of the topics covered, and integrated into assessment.


Recommended textbook:
O'Hagan, John , Francis O’Toole and Ciara Whelan (eds): The Economy of Ireland: Policy Making in a Global Context (14th edition), 2021, Bloomsbury

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Understand the importance and relevance of information contained in readings/on-line materials for various Irish economic policy issues;

• Apply basic economic thinking to evaluate public policy making in Ireland;

• Understand the potential impacts of policy making for the SDGs - across the various Social, Economic, Environment and Governance pillars of Sustainable Development.

Indicative Module Content:

- An overview of the evolution of the Irish economy since 1922 to the present day, with reference to the key features, developments, and policies over the period.
- A framework for economic policy analysis, including Sustainable Development
- The Care Economy
- Inequality and Poverty
- Manufacturing and Internationally-Traded Services Sector
- Education Sector
- Population Demographics

*note: topics are indicative only. not all topics are necessarily covered.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Lectures

22
Total

112
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Relevant articles posted on the various topics considered - including any current news articles
Provide opportunity for developing critical analysis and writing skills
Develop research and analytical skills as well as knowledge application in the policy brief assignment.
'Test Yourself!' questions posted for each topic to help students focus learning and keep up to date with the curriculum.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

A knowledge of basic Principles of Microeconomics and of Macroeconomics is recommended for this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Policy Brief assignment during the trimester Week 7 Graded No

30

 No
Exam (In-person): Final written exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No

70

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Short summary feedback is provided to students individually along with their assignment grade. Students also have the opportunity to then attend 'Feedback Office Hours' for additional feedback, if they wish to.

Recommended:
O'Hagan, John , Francis O’Toole and Ciara Whelan (eds): The Economy of Ireland: Policy Making in a Global Context (14th edition), 2021, Bloomsbury