Author Archives: oscharles

Recent years have seen growing conversations about how disabled people are supported across the island of Ireland. Both jurisdictions – Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – have been considering changes to policy and practice relating to disability and long-term illness. In recent time, both governments published Green Papers exploring potential reforms to socialContinueContinue reading “Merging knowledge across the island of Ireland: AISSN workshop 8th June 2026”

The All-Island Social Security Network (AISSN) submitted a response to the Government of Ireland’s public consultation on proposed new Working Age and Targeted Child Payments. Drawing on comparative research and evidence from across the UK, the AISSN argues that while more flexible income supports and smoother transitions into work are positive objectives, reforms must notContinueContinue reading “All-Island Social Security Network (AISSN) responds to Irish Working Age and Targeted Child Payment Consultation”

On May 6th, the AISSN hosted our second webinar in the our child poverty series. This explored cash transfers to children, with Dr Barra Roantree (TCD) and Professor Stephen Sinclair (Chair, Poverty and Inequality in Scotland). Barra will outlined his research on the proposal to introduce a means-tested second-tier of child benefit in the Republic ofContinueContinue reading “AISSN Webinar Briefing: Cash Transfers for Children: The Story in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland”

On April 16th, AISSN hosted its second webinar of the year on ‘Child Poverty on the Island of Ireland’. Presentations were given by Louise Bayliss, head of Social Justice and Social Policy at St Vincent De Paul and Christine Ellison, Senior Analyst with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) in Northern Ireland (NI). Speaking about theContinueContinue reading “AISSN Webinar Briefing: Child Poverty on the Island of Ireland.”

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hsS_wnTfXXk?si=rmq8DTVEoqlNcQmf On February 9th, we hosted our first webinar of the year on ‘Earthquake in Slow Motion: The Psychosocial and Mental Health Impact of Ireland’s Defective Concrete Crisis,’ where Oisin Keenan (PhD researcher, Ulster University) and Professor Karen Kirby (Professor of Psychology, Ulster University) presented their initial findings on the psychological and family impacts of Ireland’s defective concrete crisis. SeveralContinueContinue reading “AISSN Webinar Briefing: Defective Concrete Crisis”

On November 19th, the AISSN hosted a one-hour All-Island Social Security Network webinar on the initial findings from our comparative research on disability benefits North and South of the border. This paper endeavours to legally map out the respective systems in several key areas (material scope/eligibility, assessment and financial transfers) before comparing the two mostContinueContinue reading “AISSN Webinar Briefing: Mapping Disability Benefits”

As the UK Government pushes forward with sweeping reforms to disability benefits, a coalition of academics and policy experts from across the island of Ireland has issued a stark warning: the proposed changes will disproportionately harm disabled people in Northern Ireland and risk deepening existing inequalities. The All-Island Social Security Network (AISSN), a group of researchers fromContinueContinue reading “The All-Island Social Security Network (AISSN) Respond to the British Government’s Disability Reforms”

Christopher Bowes of FLAC has recently joined the AISSN Steering Group, which helps shape the workings and organisation of the Network. Christopher is Policy & Public Affairs Manager at FLAC. He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2020. As an independent law centre, FLAC frequently provides people with legal representation in the areaContinueContinue reading “New Steering Group Member/FLAC to appear before the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee Wednesday, 18 June at 9:45am”

On the 4th of June, the All Island Social Security Network (AISSN) collaborated with the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation (CBBC) to hold a webinar which examined the social security implications for cross-border workers. Anne Devlin (ERSI & AISSN) introduced the Network and thanked CBBC for hosting the webinar. Annmarie O’Kane (CBBC) then presented theContinueContinue reading “AISSN Webinar Briefing: CCBC x AISSN Social Security”

Wednesday 4th June 11.30am – online The Centre for Cross Border Co-operation is currently hosting a range of webinars examining issues faced by cross-border workers and employers following on from a significant research project (linked) which found numerous barriers to the smooth operation of the all-island labour market which have implications for individuals and businesses acrossContinueContinue reading “CCBC x AISSN Social Security Online Event – Save the Date!”