EUR
STG
Our research and analysis inform a variety of social policy areas, providing evidence-based policy recommendations and a benchmark for minimum needs rooted in lived experience. The research contributes to debates on income adequacy, poverty, and social inclusion by offering an ongoing benchmark of minimum needs and evaluating income adequacy.
We regularly produce Technical and Working Papers which examine current relevant policy issues in a timely manner. These papers have examined areas such as the cost of childcare, home energy costs and estimating the MESL costs for families in Direct Provision.
We publish a MESL Report each year to accompany the update of the MESL expenditure needs data. The report presents a detailed analysis of the changing expenditure and income needs for a set of representative household types.
The Report provides timely information for any organisations which use the data in their ongoing work, and is timed to inform those engaging in the Pre-Budget process.
We regularly produce Technical and Working Papers which examine current relevant policy issues in a timely manner.
These papers have examined areas such as the cost of childcare, home energy costs and estimating the MESL costs for families in Direct Provision.
The Research Centre makes a Pre-Budget Submission following the publication of the annual MESL update, highlighting key issues revealed by the data & analysis and making policy recommendations based on these findings. We also participate in the Department of Social Protection’s Pre-Budget Forum and in the National Economic Dialogue.
Submissions are also made to the Low Pay Commission using the MESL data to evaluate the adequacy of the National Minimum Wage.
Submissions are also made on an ongoing basis in response to relevant calls from Government.
We publish a Budget Impact Briefing each year, which examines the potential impact of the Social Welfare and personal tax measures announced in the annual Budget, in terms of MESL expenditure and income needs of a set of representative household types.