The Irish Welfare State in the Twenty-First Century

'In an age of uncertainty, this book represents an important contribution to debate on the futures of welfare states. Incorporating detailed investigation of less visible concerns of social policy alongside more traditional analytical territory, it provides both a source of reference, chronicling welfare state change in Ireland, and readable, scholarly accounts of that change.' -  Zoë Irving, University of York, UK

Introduction; Mary P. Murphy and Fiona Dukelow.- Chapter 1. Welfare states: how they change and why; Fiona Dukelow and Mary P. Murphy.- Chapter 2. The Irish social protection system: change in comparative context; Mel Cousins.- Chapter 3. Activation: solving unemployment or supporting a low pay economy?; Micheál L. Collins and Mary P. Murphy.- Chapter 4. Redistribution in the Irish pension system: upside down?; Gerard Hughes and Michelle Maher.- Chapter 5. Personal finance: financial services, access, credit and debt management; Stuart Stamp.- Chapter 6. Irish water services reform: past, present and future; Fiona Dukelow.- Chapter 7. Reform of the Irish healthcare system: what reform?; Sara Burke.- Chapter 8. Early childhood education and dare: a neglected policy arena?; Nóirín Hayes.- Chapter 9. New managerialism: a political project in Irish education; Bernie Grummell and Kathleen Lynch.- Chapter 10.- Social housing policy and provision: a changing regime?; Joe Finnerty, Cathal O'Connell and Siobhan O'Sullivan.- Chapter 11. Crisis and corporate welfare; Nat O'Connor and Paul Sweeney.- Chapter 12. Ireland and crisis: one island, two different experiences; Féilim Ó hAdhmaill.- Conclusion; Mary P. Murphy and Fiona Dukelow.