electiveHQ

Law has a complex relationship with social inclusion. Within the realms of social welfare law and housing law, significant state architecture exists to, in part, meet the needs of persons. This module describes legislative entitlement to certain social welfare payments and forms of housing assistance/rights in Ireland. Exploring and critiquing social policy preferences of political, administrative and legal actors, and providing entitlements to welfare and housing in legislative, and quasi-legislative, form will be a key focus. Through engaging, in a thematic manner, the module will focus on groups within society, such as: persons without employment, families, Irish Travellers (Mincéirs), asylum seekers and persons with disabilities, in considering the degree that law embraces (or otherwise) social inclusion. Where domestic legislative entitlements in housing and welfare fall short of providing for needs, this can shine a light on whether Bunreacht na hÉireann (the Irish Constitution) can act as a tool to enhance such rights. Significant international obligations inhere within welfare and housing law due to Ireland freely accepting to be bound by such obligations, at the international (UN) level. How does such a complex matrix of law, legal systems, and differing conceptions of rights, interplay and result in the achievement of social inclusion in Ireland? The module is assessed in two ways: (i) Completion of a 1,000 word essay/policy proposal/blog (form may vary) relating to the module. Released in Week 4 and completed by end of Week 7 (40%). (ii) Completion of a 1,500 word assignment (form of assignment can vary). Released in Week 10 and due by end of Trimester assessment period (60%).