Posted on: June 13th, 2013
The Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation (DJEI) has requested Forfás to undertake an evaluation of enterprise support programmes, funded by DJEI and the Exchequer. The evaluation approach is guided by the Evaluation Framework developed by Forfás for the evaluation of enterprise support programmes. The Framework was informed by an international review conducted by Indecon Consultants, and outlines international best practice regarding the core principles and methodologies required for the evaluation of enterprise support programmes. It provides a common basis for the evaluation of all enterprise support interventions, and is cognisant of common challenges and issues facing enterprise evaluation.
In keeping with the principles of the Framework, programmes are categorised by thematic area, one of which is business development supports. The thematic areas are based on the different focus areas for agency supports and the different evaluation methodologies required to evaluate the different types of programmes. This builds on existing agency practice and facilitates a manageable approach to the evaluations, particularly with regard to agency resources. Following international best practice, the evaluations will be conducted in an independent and informed manner, ensuring the integrity of the evaluation process.
The approach is intended to assist policy makers and enterprise support programme designers to assess the value of policy interventions, achieve continued improvements in the design and implementation of programmes, and strengthen the evaluation culture in enterprise support provision.
The two companies involved in conducting this project are Fitzpatrick Associates, Economic Consultants, and Insight Statistical Consulting. The firms co-operate frequently on reviews and analyses and evaluation for public bodies.
Posted on: March 13th, 2013
Ireland will be participating again in the Eurostudent Survey Project, a European-wide survey on the economic and social conditions of higher education students. This is the fifth such survey and Ireland has participated in all previous surveys. Eurostudent IV culminated in the publication of a separate Irish report prepared by Insight Statistical Consulting, and also a European report.
A range of topics on student life were covered, including travel, accommodation, income, expenditure and student well-being. We consider this survey to be a very important addition to our understanding of the everyday experiences of higher education students. The survey is co-ordinated in Europe by the German Federal Ministry of Education.
The Higher Education Authority has commissioned Insight Statistical Consulting again to carry out the Eurostudent V Survey. The data collection phase of this project will commence in Spring 2013 and final reporting will be at the end of 2013. This year we will primarily carry out the survey online. Again the survey results will lead to the publication of two reports; An Irish Report and the European Report.
Posted on: January 7th, 2013
The landscape of prehospital emergency care in Ireland has matured considerably over the last decade. As EMS practitioner scope of practice has evolved, the profession has quickly changed from one which simply transported patients to hospital as quickly and safely as possible (with limited clinical interventions), to today, where many EMS practitioners are performing advanced emergency airway interventions and administering opiates for the management of acute severe pain in the prehospital environment. The challenge now is to ensure that patients consistently receive the best available care to produce the best outcome, in a cost effective manner.
A key performance indicator (KPI) is an assessment tool used to monitor and evaluate important governance, management, clinical and support functions that affect patient outcomes. Healthcare quality is the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge. Clinical performance indicators for ambulance services have previously focused primarily on emergency response times, which have not been based on strong evidence. There is, therefore, a compelling argument to develop clinical performance indicators for prehospital emergency care in order to move from indicators based primarily on response times and in light of changing clinical demands on, and the transformation agenda of ambulance services.
Insight Statistical Consulting are engaged in a Delphi process aimed at achieving consensus on particular topics among a group of carefully chosen experts. The process normally involves inviting a panel of experts to complete a questionnaire over two or more rounds, where the question bank evolves subject to agreement between panelists. During each round, panelists anonymously complete a questionnaire (using a standard 5-point Likert scale) and are also given the opportunity to include additional questions (not already present on the questionnaire), which are included in subsequent rounds.
Posted on: October 4th, 2012
Research shows that nearly 100,000 overseas students studied English in Ireland’s accredited and approved language schools in 2011 generating much needed revenue for the Irish economy.
Insight Statistical Consulting has just commenced a comprehensive study of the English Language Training (ELT) Sector in Ireland in conjunction with economic consultants, Fitzpatrick Associates.
The study’s objectives are:
1) To establish the size and value of the ELT sector in Ireland in terms of: the number of approved ELT schools; the number of students undergoing training annually; and expenditure generated by those visiting Ireland to learn English in approved ELT schools.
2) To assess Ireland’s competitive position relative to other countries who are also active in the ELT market. This will entail a benchmarking exercise to deliver a comprehensive SWOT analysis.
3) To learn from the experience of other countries, especially relatively small ones, who have successfully establish themselves as players in this market.
4) To determine Ireland’s potential to successfully grow earnings from the ELT market and the segments/niches within the ELT market which best suit Ireland’s offering and strengths.
The findings from this study are due to be presented to Fáilte Ireland in November 2012.
Posted on: May 17th, 2012
Insight Statistical Consulting has just commenced the annual economic review of agency assisted multi-national firms in Ireland. The Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact captures key economic data on sales, exports, expenditure on wages / salaries and related costs, purchases of raw materials and services and research & development. The outputs from the most recent Annual Business Report (covering indigenous and foreign firms across IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and Udaras na Gaeltachta) can be viewed here.
Posted on: January 20th, 2012
CER Press Release – 15th November 2011
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has today published a paper proposing to roll-out electricity and gas Smart Meters to all homes and many businesses across Ireland in the coming years. These Smart Meters will provide significant benefits to energy customers and to the country generally.
It is proposed to proceed with a national roll-out of Smart Meters following the completion of electricity and gas Smart Meter pilot trials earlier this year. These trials showed that a national rollout of Smart Meters could lead to a 2.9% reduction in overall gas consumption, a 2.5% reduction in overall electricity consumption and an 8.8% reduction in peak-time electricity consumption.
The Full press release and detailed paper can be viewed here.
The full range of electricity and gas smart metering reports can be viewed here.
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Insight Statistical Consulting were statistical consultants to the Smart Metering Project. This involved developing the statistical methodology for comparing interventions, managing the individual meter level data streams, providing group level aggregate summaries of consumption data and contributing to drafting the findings report.
Posted on: July 8th, 2011
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have completed an Irish Leaving Certificate. HEAR has been set up by a number of colleges and universities as evidence shows that long-term poverty and unemployment can have a negative effect on how well a student does at school and whether they go on to college. HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support. Insight Statistical Consulting has just completed an extensive occupational Socio Economic Group (SEG) coding exercise of applicants to third-level education through the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR). In addition, Insight also coded applicants entering higher education through the Trinity Access Programme (TAP), National University of Ireland (Galway) Access Service and Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Access Service.
Posted on: July 8th, 2011
Enterprise Ireland selected Insight Statistical Consulting to undertake the mid-year review of client company performance for the next three years, 2011-2013. For this project, performance will be measured in terms of employment, sales, exports and export markets. Insight provide expert questionnaire design, data collection (online and offline), analytical and economic reporting skills during the performance of this contract. The purpose of this important research is to help accelerate the development of world class Irish companies. The information gathered from the mid-year review is critical to Enterprise Ireland in helping Irish companies achieve strong positions in global markets resulting in increased exports, employment and prosperity in Ireland.
Posted on: July 8th, 2011
The Bar Council of Ireland, of which practising barristers in Ireland are members, commissioned Insight Statistical Consulting to undertake a survey of its 2,251 members focusing mainly on their current economic status. The fieldwork for this survey was conducted using both a postal questionnaire and on-line questionnaire. The survey collected information about each barristers’ professional history and qualifications; the main areas in which they practise; their earnings and expenses; the level and duration of outstanding fees; business activity levels during the first three months of the year; and general details on age, gender and household.
Posted on: July 8th, 2010
Insight Statistical Consulting was selected to conduct a periodic independent statistical review of the National Bonds Draw System from which there are over 22,000 monthly winners. National Bonds Corporation PJSC is a Sharia Complaint Saving Scheme, a Dubai-based private joint stock shareholding company that was established in March 2006 with a paid-up capital of AED 150 million and regulated by the UAE Central Bank.
