Where are we on the COVID-19 curve? (Update at 16 April 2020)
17th April 2020
This is a follow-up to the recent blog article, ‘Where are we on the COVID-19 curve?. The previous article used three day averages for
Latest Articles
Browse all the articles published on the Research Matters blog, with the most recent articles appearing at the top.
COVID-19 and Brexit: A reading list
16th April 2020
Brexit and the negotiations during the current transition period may have slipped from the top of the news agenda, but commentators are already beginning to
Where are we on the COVID-19 curve?
10th April 2020
Most of us by now understand the need to ‘flatten the curve’ in order to reduce the number of overall cases of COVID-19 and
Visualisation of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland
9th April 2020
By Keara McKay & Thomas Procter This is a visualisation prepared and maintained by the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe). It presents
Northern Ireland Executive Budget 2020-21: Initial allocations, with more to come later…
2nd April 2020
In his statement on 31 March, the Minister of Finance noted that the world has changed dramatically since his 16 March statement on the
Sources of guidance and support on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
27th March 2020
In order to provide support to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the Research and Information Service (RaISe) has produced this round-up of trusted,
UK Chancellor’s Budget 2020: Implications for Northern Ireland
13th March 2020
The recently appointed UK Chancellor presented his first Budget on Wednesday (as had been planned by his predecessor). It was announced in place of the
Northern Ireland Gender Pay Gap – 2020 update
6th March 2020
By Michael Scholes & Aidan Stennett To highlight International Women’s Day, the following article updates our previous blog article examining the Gender Pay Gap in
What is the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
12th February 2020
This article was edited on 4th March 2020 to include updated information, data and guidance. The recent international coronavirus outbreak originated in the city of
Waiting lists and waiting times for Elective Care in Northern Ireland: Taking stock
7th February 2020
This blog article is based on the information and analysis in the recently published Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service paper, ‘Waiting lists and
How does the regulation of residential letting agents in Northern Ireland compare with the rest of the UK?
23rd January 2020
What is the distinction between an estate agent and a letting agent? Why is it important for consumers in Northern Ireland to distinguish between the
An independent Fiscal Council for Northern Ireland: What might it look like?
21st January 2020
The recent New Decade, New Approach deal to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland contains considerable commitments to financial support but scant detail. A release by
National Minimum Wage: Effects and future
18th December 2019
Do you know the hourly minimum wage rates for workers in Northern Ireland? Currently, the rates are determined under three separate schemes: the ‘National Living
Northern Ireland public finances: An update
5th December 2019
This blog article provides an update on Northern Ireland public finances in the absence of fully functioning devolved government. It explains recently enacted budget legislation
Suicide statistics and strategy in Northern Ireland: Update
28th November 2019
By Lesley-Ann Black and Keara McKay This article is an updated version of a piece which was published on Research Matters in February 2019. It
Brexit and Northern Ireland: Reading List #27
4th October 2019
Please note: This version of the Brexit and Northern Ireland reading list has now been superseded. For the very latest version, please see here.
Free periods? Period poverty, its impact on education, and policy responses to the issue
5th September 2019
Period poverty is a topical issue, globally and within the United Kingdom (UK). Recently, there has been some concern about the relationship between period poverty
Is Northern Ireland ‘Open’ for business? Examining the social and economic impact of sporting events
2nd July 2019
This article draws on recent experiences of Government-funded sporting events in Northern Ireland (NI), highlighting a number of those events, in particular their economic and
Is coercive control a crime?
27th June 2019
In 2016 a man called Lance Hart shot his wife Claire and daughter Charlotte outside a swimming pool in Lincolnshire, England, before turning his shotgun
What exactly are the air pollution impacts on health?
20th June 2019
The impacts and dangers associated with air pollution are becoming increasingly recognised. Around 28,000 to 40,000 deaths per year are estimated to be attributable to
Plastics in the sea: Part two – policy for plastics
18th June 2019
This blog article is the second in a series of two which discusses the issue of marine plastic waste in Northern Ireland (NI), based on
Plastics in the sea: Part one – the plastic problem
17th June 2019
This blog article is the first in a series of two which discusses the issue of marine plastic waste in Northern Ireland (NI), based on
Is Northern Ireland underrated? Examining the context for a review of our rating system
6th June 2019
On 9 May 2019 the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance (DoF) announced a fresh appraisal of the fundamental features of the Northern Ireland
What next for the environment, Brexit and cross-border co-operation?
23rd May 2019
Environmental regulation currently experienced by Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) is greatly influenced by European Union (EU) policy frameworks. While some
Farmers and mental health
15th May 2019
In this Mental Health Awareness Week, which also coincides with this year’s Balmoral Show, this article examines an issue which has received comparatively little attention
Keeping up with technology: Upskirting and the law in Northern Ireland
1st May 2019
Last month, a new law came into force in England and Wales making upskirting a criminal offence. Upskirting involves taking a photo or
A comparison of the planning systems in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
15th April 2019
This blog article examines the similarities and differences between the planning systems north and south of the border on the island of Ireland. It is
Northern Ireland trade in goods, 2018
8th April 2019
This blog post provides an overview of Northern Ireland’s (NI) current position with regard to trade in goods and updates our previous blog on NI’s
Regional devolution for Northern Ireland: What’s the big deal?
4th April 2019
On 26 March 2019, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (NI) signed an agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) Government, the NI Civil Service
Who regulates health and social care services in Northern Ireland?
29th March 2019
This article provides a broad introduction to the complex landscape of formal regulation of health care in Northern Ireland (NI). It also includes reference to