The Equality Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Irish Labour Market

The overall recovery in the labour market post pandemic has been extraordinary given the nature and extent of the shock, likely due in part to the package of financial measures. [...] The findings shine a light on the buffering effect of the fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market, highlighting the protective and stabilising role of significant public investment. [...] The absence of data on these Executive summary | xi groups means monitoring the effectiveness of these strategies and the successor to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy is difficult, and underscores the importance of the forthcoming Equality Data Strategy. [...] 2.2 RESEARCH ON THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC IN IRELAND 2.2.1 The COVID-19 pandemic and the Irish labour market Although National Income24 had risen substantially, and unemployment has fallen in the years prior to and including 2019, Ireland faced economic challenges and uncertainty following the health crisis and economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. [...] A special COVID-wave of the Growing Up in Ireland ’98 Cohort who were aged 22 years at the onset of the pandemic provides more detail on the impact of the pandemic on the employment of young people.