Ongoing Equality and Social Need research

Debt / financial exclusion qualitative study.

A quantitative study on debt and financial exclusion completed by OFMDFM in 2005/06 highlighted the need for a qualitative study, to investigate in more depth;

The range of factors behind the emergence and maintenance of problem debt;
The resources and options (personal and financial) available;
Awareness of sources of assistance and support and their use;
The broader impacts of problem debt on the individual and family including health, social exclusion, service exclusion etc.

A qualitative approach could potentially utilise a range of approaches such as: individual case studies; focus groups; alongside key informant interviews. In addition, informal indications from the sector providing debt support and advisory services are positive in relation to pursuing. Work in relation to this piece of research is currently being developed.

Contact Michael Woods 028 90523244,
Email: michael.woods@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs):

A SAM links together macro statistics of National Accounts with micro statistics of the labour market and of households to show the inter-relationships between economic and social statistics. The SAM presents the information in a matrix form. The SAM can also be viewed as a family of matrices at different levels each of which is embedded in the level above allowing disaggregation to cover different household types.

The project will aim to develop a system of SAMs for Northern Ireland.

A comprehensive overview of the flow of income from all sources and expenditure amongst household types known to disproportionately comprise those in low income and those not;
To enable the modelling and estimation of the impacts of policy actions, in respect of increasing employability (education/skills etc); increasing labour market participation; improving health; changes in benefit uptake and wages impacts;
To provide the SAM as a bespoke policy evaluation tool.

Work in relation to this project will be developed through 2006/07

Contact Dr Alan McClelland 028 90522574,
Email: alan.mcclelland@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

Development of small area income estimates and the relationship with individual measures of deprivation

In line with developments in Great Britain, it is proposed to take forward a piece of research to develop estimates of income measures at the small area level. This work will also attempt to quantify the independent impacts of spatial deprivation over and above individual/household disadvantage characteristics using income as the deprivation measure.

The research will utilise, amongst other things, the Family Resources Survey and the Department of Social Development work on the development of an integrated income and benefits database. The output from the research will include

(i) a report detailing the development of small area income estimates;

(ii) a report detailing analysis of the individual and spatial differences/ similarities of income measures;

(iii) a detailed methodology report which will help facilitate the development of small area measures in other spheres (e.g. smoking etc...)

Work in relation to this project will be developed through 2006/07

Contact Dr Alan McClelland 028 90522574,
Email: alan.mcclelland@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

The Northern Ireland survey of activity limitation and disability

The survey will collect information on the prevalence, type and severity of disability / activity limitations. A range of socio-economic and demographic information will be collected. Information such as education, labour market position, care received and given, transport and travel; accommodation type and adaptations; crime and fear of crime and sources and level of income will be collected. This wide range of information will provide a significant insight to the lives and living conditions of people with a disability in Northern Ireland.

The survey aims to collect information from approximately 3,000 adults and 300 children in both private households and communal establishments. The survey represents the first major quantitative data source on people with disabilities in over 15 years in Northern Ireland.

The initial results of the survey are due December 2006.

Contact Carly Niblock 028 90348136,
Email: carly.niblock@dfpni.gov.uk

Equality focused analytic activity

In relation to the above research projects, a number of additional research activities undertaken in relation to Equality Issues include:

Analyses of the Labour Force Survey

Equality-focused analyses of the Labour Force Survey which includes: modelling the monitored and non-monitored workforces; analysis of a wider range of labour market differentials including an examination of inactivity; comparisons of within and between group differentials.

Development of gender equality indicators (Linked to gender strategy timetable)

Identification of final indicators from OFMDFM research and in-house development of indicators of social need.

Analysis of the NIHPS – change in RC/P household circumstances

Annual proportion of households entering or leaving employment (employment continuity)