TY - BOOK ID - 14295562 TI - Quality of life in Ireland : social impact of economic boom AU - Fahey, Tony. AU - Russell, Helen. AU - Whelan, Christopher T. PY - 2007 SN - 1402069804 9048177820 9786611491796 1281491799 1402069812 PB - Dordrecht : Springer, DB - UniCat KW - Ireland -- Economic conditions -- 21st century. KW - Ireland -- Social conditions -- 21st century. KW - Quality of life -- Ireland. KW - Economic History KW - Social Sciences - General KW - Business & Economics KW - Social Sciences KW - Ireland KW - Economic conditions KW - Social conditions KW - Irish Free State KW - Social sciences. KW - Medical research. KW - Quality of life. KW - Social Sciences. KW - Social Sciences, general. KW - Quality of Life Research. KW - Life, Quality of KW - Economic history KW - Human ecology KW - Life KW - Social history KW - Basic needs KW - Human comfort KW - Social accounting KW - Work-life balance KW - Biomedical research KW - Medical research KW - Behavioral sciences KW - Human sciences KW - Sciences, Social KW - Social science KW - Social studies KW - Civilization KW - Quality of Life KW - Research. UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:14295562 AB - The Irish economic boom has caused the economy in Ireland to roar ahead, but what has it done to Irish society? Some see the rising tide as having lifted all boats, while others argue that the benefits have accrued mostly to those who were already well placed. Some highlight how economic growth has raised living standards, while others say that it has imposed strains on family life, eroded values and communities, and created problems in accessing adequate housing, health care and other services. So, are we in Ireland now living in ‘the best of times’, or has increased prosperity come at (too high) a cost? And can the rest of the world draw any lessons from what has happened in Ireland? The purpose of this book, which contains a collection of chapters written by some of Ireland’s leading social researchers, is to bring to bear the latest research and empirical evidence to answer these questions. It is aimed at a general audience and seeks to contribute to public debate in Ireland and abroad, while at the same time striving for rigorous, evidence-based argument. The overall judgment offered by the book is positive, though with qualifications. Ireland still has problems: social inequalities are slow to narrow; the indignities of poverty and hopelessness, though less widespread than before, are still too common; some public services are poor; and traffic congestion frays the nerves. But there is a long list of social fundamentals that are stronger today than before the economic boom arrived. National moral is among the highest in Europe, most people’s economic circumstances have greatly improved, jobs are astonishingly abundant, people are now flocking into the country rather than out of it, and they are marrying and having children at a higher rate than fifteen years ago. These are only some of the positives identified in the book. Together they suggest that even on social grounds the Irish economic boom deserves at least two cheers, even if it has far from succeeded in solving all social ills. ER -