This module explores the income maintenance function of the Irish welfare state in the OECD context. It examines why and how states provide income supports for individuals and households, what direct effects these supports have on incomes and living standards, what indirect effects they may have by way of incentives for certain kinds of behaviour (e.g. in promoting employment), and how they relate to services that might provide alternative means of supporting well-being (e.g. childcare, job-training). The module considers income support for childhood, working age and old age separately and introduces various means to achieve this goal beyond core welfare state schemes (tax, social insurance, private/informal protection). Welfare benefits discussed in the module include, for instance, parental leave, childcare vouchers, student grants/loans, jobseeker's allowance, family income supplement, pensions and long-term care payments. Particular attention is paid to current welfare debates on ‘social investment’, ‘activation’, ‘new social risks’ and ‘individualisation’.
The module is delivered mainly through lectures and independent learning. In class discussions and group work will support the learning experience to give students the chance to critically reflect on concepts and issues of social protection.