I am joined by Dr. Karina Doorley and Dr. Barra Roantree who are senior research officer and research officer respectively, with the Economic and Social Research Institute.

We discuss why we need taxes; what can happen when we get it wrong; and how Ireland's benefit system has been very important in helping the vulnerable during the COVID19 crisis.

We discuss some of the tools used to understand the tax benefit system, particularly Microsimulation. Karina and Barra take us through some of the work they’ve done with these methods. This is an area which I have worked in and I also pitch in where I can.

A quick reminder before we start that I have a patreon site at www.patreon.com/IrishEconPod. If you enjoy the podcast to the value of a cup of coffee a month, patreon is a way to say thanks. I am very grateful to the six patrons who have signed up so far! It’s a small token but it means a lot to keep everything going.

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