Yes but they like the rest of us have the "choice " to either live like you described above or try and get an education and better yourself.The numbers are what they are. *Why* they are like that, whether people should try harder, etc. are valid questions but that's a different debate. The numbers show that there is a sizeable self-reproducing underclass in Ireland and this underpins many problems from unemployment and drug abuse to crime.
The final two paragraphs are important but has anyone here ever tried to fill out an Enterprise Ireland grant application? It's so difficult many say " **** that" and try and raise funds elsewhere.This paper from the Parliamentary Budget Office discusses the consequences of Ireland’s dual economy - “a global, export-oriented multi-national sector and a more domestically oriented, labour-intensive sector dominated by small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs).”
In fact, the vast majority of enterprises (92.4%) in Ireland are micro, each employing less than 10 people.
The CSO breakdown of the business demography in Ireland for 2020 is:
Number of Enterprises by employment size class
Micro Under 10 Small 10-19 Small 20-49 Medium 50-249 Large 250 and over
No matter what metric is used, multi-national businesses outperform domestic businesses even where they operate in the same economic sector.
“Before the pandemic, multi-national companies were already a key driver of tax receipts.
In 2019, multinational companies were responsible for:
The pandemic increased the divide between multi-nationals and SMEs.
- 27% of all employment
- 45% of all income tax receipts, and
- were liable to pay 79% of corporation Tax.
In 2020 multinational companies accounted for:
Whereas corporation tax payments from SMEs were down 40% in 2020.”
- 32% of employment
- 49% of employment taxes and
- 82% of corporation taxes.
Although there is concentration on Corporation Tax receipts, multi-nationals also accounted for 49% of PAYE receipts.
The paper goes on to explain the difficulties facing SMEs.
“A key challenge is boosting innovation and productivity levels. Overall, the World Economic Forum’s index of international competitiveness sees Ireland ranked 24 out of 141 countries.
Denmark, Finland and New Zealand, similar countries to Ireland, were some of the top performing economies. This is the competitiveness context the Irish SMEs are operating against, both a vibrant multi-national sector in Ireland and a very competitive international environment.
This is important as an OECD report finds that Irish SMEs are not very active in international markets, and SME productivity growth is stagnant.
There are weaknesses in SME management skills, capital investment levels and technology adoption. Access to finance and skills shortage are also issues.”
Formal barriers you are correct but it's a cultural problem. There are families where nobody has been working for generations, parent(s) on various drugs, crap nutrition, no books, no intellectual stimulation, no parental expectations or aspirations, not even a laptop, etc etc. Some kids manage to break out of that but it's very few. Most middle class kids by contrast make it to university no mattter how thick they are.There are very few " barriers " for anyone to get out of the mire in Ireland,
None of that is unique to Ireland, but it is not the "root cause" of our economic difficulties.Formal barriers you are correct but it's a cultural problem. There are families where nobody has been working for generations, parent(s) on various drugs, crap nutrition, no books, no intellectual stimulation, no parental expectations or aspirations, not even a laptop, etc etc. Some kids manage to break out of that but it's very few. Most middle class kids by contrast make it to university no mattter how thick they are.
Well you're not getting into university if your "thick" ,you appear to have a chip on your shoulder about university entrance or are you trying to say something else.Formal barriers you are correct but it's a cultural problem. There are families where nobody has been working for generations, parent(s) on various drugs, crap nutrition, no books, no intellectual stimulation, no parental expectations or aspirations, not even a laptop, etc etc. Some kids manage to break out of that but it's very few. Most middle class kids by contrast make it to university no mattter how thick they are.
Does that also apply to their young children?These people who live like you describe deserve nothing extra,
But if it means receiving valuable grant assistance, why would you not take the trouble or hire an accountant that specializes in the field? You have to start as you mean to go on and not fall at the first hurdle.but has anyone here ever tried to fill out an Enterprise Ireland grant application? It's so difficult many say " **** that" and try and raise funds elsewhere.
That's their decision and I don't want to see children suffer for the mistakes of their parents.Does that also apply to their young children?
That’s very true. Irish companies are very bad at sweating capital. Even our tech start up’s are usually looking for a quick sale and exit for the founders.There are weaknesses in SME management skills, capital investment levels and technology adoption. Access to finance and skills shortage are also issues.”
And don't forget begrudgers who will talk about behind your back and clap your back down the pub, hoping to get a free pint.That’s very true. Irish companies are very bad at sweating capital. Even our tech start up’s are usually looking for a quick sale and exit for the founders.
We don’t have the capital investment levels of the Germans or the VC culture of the Americans.
I don’t accept that these issues are the root cause of our under employment levels. I think that has more to do with a post colonial mindset and an extremely generous welfare system that enabled such a mindset. It’s also a post catholic thing; we spent so long trying to be good Christian’s that we never managed to learn to be good citizens.
How so?And don't forget begrudgers who will talk about behind your back and clap your back down the pub, hoping to get a free pint.
If we could find a cure for that we'd be some country.
Because it's the real crisis in this country, try and get on and the begrudgers will try and take the legs from beneath you.How so?
Congratulations if you are, but I doubt very much that you haven't encountered it.If I am a successful business person, do you think I give a fiddlers about begrudges?
That is just a distraction that has nothing to do with the risks facing the Irish economy.