Policy Press

The Marketisation of Welfare-To-Work in Ireland

Governing Activation at the Street-Level

By Michael McGann

Published

Mar 20, 2023

Page count

190 pages

ISBN

978-1447367055

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Mar 20, 2023

Page count

190 pages

ISBN

978-1447367079

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
The Marketisation of Welfare-To-Work in Ireland
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This book assesses how the practice of contracting-out public employment services via competitive tendering and Payment-by-Results is transforming welfare-to-work in Ireland.

It offers Ireland’s introduction of a welfare-to-work market as a case study that speaks to wider international debates in social and public policy about the role of market governance in intensifying the turn towards more regulatory and conditional welfare models on the ground.

It draws on unprecedented access to, and extensive survey and interview research with, frontline employment services staff, combined with in-depth interviews with policy officials, organisational managers and jobseekers participating in activation.

“Michael McGann’s groundbreaking research offers critical and compelling insight into Ireland’s activation turn. It is equally salient and illuminating for advancing scholarship on the marketisation of public employment services at street level as ‘double activation’.” Fiona Dukelow, University College Cork

“McGann’s work is impressive both for the breadth and depth of scholarship and for the unique insights offered. Essential reading.” Joe Whelan, Trinity College, The University of Dublin

Michael McGann is Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

1. Introduction

2. Welfare Reform in Post-Crisis Ireland

3. Exploring Double Activation

4. Workfare Meets Marketisation

5. Remodelling Agency at the Street-Level

6. Conclusion