Search Results

Maynooth University Resources for Post-Primary Economics Fast Fashion and Economics for Transition Years An introduction to Game Theory Minimum Wage for Leaving Cert Economics Why Study Economics?

Young Economist of the Year 2023 Photo Gallery All photos were taken by Paul Moore Photography. www.paulmoorephotography.ie

YEOTY 2026 Information on YEOTY 2025 is now available. Click the button below for more information about YEOTY 2026! The 2025 Teacher CPD session to support mentoring students took place online in November 2024. Recordings and resources can be found by clicking the link below. The portal for submitting entries will open in January 2026, The deadline for submitting entries will be Friday 13th March 2026. The Awards Ceremony date and venue are tbc. Click here for information about YEOTY 2026 Click here for resources from the CPD day Click here to enter YEOTY 2026 About Young Economist of the Year YEOTY, as it has become affectionately known, is now in its tenth year and is developing into a significant national awards event for the enjoyment and promotion of economics. Commencing in 2013, the initiative has grown from strength to strength with an increasing number of participants and an improved level of quality each year. The national awards event rotates amongst the major third-level institutions in Ireland. The first YEOTY was hosted by the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at Maynooth University in 2013. Each year economics teachers across the country attend a professional learning day organised by Oide in association with members of the Irish Economics Association (IEA) to learn about the latest developments in economics in order to enhance their own knowledge and in turn that of their students. Teachers then work with students on inquiry-based projects to be submitted to the annual Young Economist of the Year competition organised by Oide. In inviting students to explore real life issues through their projects, it is an excellent medium to facilitate students in developing greater economic literacy and to understand how economics relates to their everyday lives and future. Researching economic issues in this way empowers students to develop knowledge and skills that can be applied to many areas of life and further study. Submissions to YEOTY have demonstrated a clear understanding that economics is about our choices and behaviours and how these impact on our individual lives, our country, global economies and on the planet we share. The purpose of the YEOTY awards is to showcase, acknowledge and celebrate the work of students and teachers in planning, preparing and sharing their projects. The Oide Young Economist of the Year (YEOTY) national awards, is an initiative of Oide. Oide is the largest teacher support service in Ireland serving approximately 35,000 post-primary teachers of which approx. 1,500 are business and economics teachers. Oide is funded by the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education and Skills (DES). The DES fund the Oide Young Economist of the Year awards as part of the continuing professional development of teachers of business and economics. YEOTY partners include members of the Irish Economics Association (IEA) the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), the Central Bank of Ireland, the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment and economics and education departments in all of the major third level institutions in Ireland. Each partner contributes to the continuing professional development of economics teachers, evaluates projects and sponsors prizes for the awards. YEOTY is a shining example of the high level of commitment from students and their teachers to the study of economics and the types of partnerships in education being encouraged and enabled by the Department of Education and Skills. How to get involved in YEOTY • Participating schools may hold their own internal competition and may choose a maximum of three projects per class to submit to YEOTY. • The projects are submitted online in February/March through the portal on www.youngeconomist.ie • The shortlisted projects are invited to attend the YEOTY awards in a leading university, rotating around supporting universities annually). • There are various awards for sections re sponsor interest groups – e.g. Central Bank award; IGEES award etc.

OIDE YEOTY CPD November 2023 In case you missed the annual CPD event for teachers that are interested in entering students into the Young Economist of the Year Competition, you can find all the resources here! Below you will find recordings from all the speakers from the day, and their various presentations. We hope you find them useful in your preparations. If you have any questions regarding anything you see below or anything else relating to the competition, please email youngeconomist@pdst.ie and we will get back to you as soon as we can Click here for Information Flyer about YEOTY 2024 CPD Webinar Our CPD webinar is a must-watch for teachers who are preparing students to enter the Young Economist of the Year competition. With expert insights and practical advice, this webinar is the perfect tool for teachers and students who want to excel in the competition. The recording covers a range of topics, from how to choose a topic to how to structure your project for maximum impact. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just starting out, this webinar is an essential resource. Other Resources The Oide Economics Team have created a useful Padlet of Resources, both from the CPD day and other links that may be helpful to teachers and students in their preparations. Below is a link to the Padlet Click here for the link to the Padlet

YEOTY Archive On this page, you will find the archive of the previous years of the Young Economist of the Year Competitions. Click on the links below to view the winning entries of the previous years, the old programmes and videos from the National Awards Ceremonies. 2023 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2023 Click here for more 2022 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2022 Click here for more 2021 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2021 Click here for more 2020 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2020 Click here for more 2019 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2019 Click here for more 2018 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2018 Click here for more 2017 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2017 Click here for more 2016 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2016 Click here for more 2015 YEOTY ARCHIVE Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2015 Click here for more 2013/2014 YEOTY Archive Click here for past projects, videos and programmes from 2013 and 2014 Click here for more

PDST YEOTY CPD November 2021 In case you missed the annual CPD event for teachers that are interested in entering students into the Young Economist of the Year Competition. Below you will find recordings from all the speakers from the evening, and their various presentations. We hope you find them useful in your preparations. If you have any questions regarding anything you see below or anything else relating to the competition, please email youngeconomist@pdst.ie and we will get back to you as soon as we can Click here for Information Flyer about the CPD Evening Full Recording of the CPD Evening Advice from the Judging Panel Dr Kevin Denny Kevin studied economics at University College Dublin and Oxford University. He was a senior researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies in London before returning to take up an academic post in UCD in 1992. He is now associate professor and Head of School in the UCD School of Economics. His research interests include labour markets, education and the economics of health. Click here for the slides from this presentation Developing Creative Lines of Inquiry with a Sound Economic Focus Dr Bruno Morando Bruno joined the University of Maynooth as a lecturer in September 2021. Before that, he was an adjunct assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin and a research economist at Indecon Economic Consultants. Bruno holds a PhD in Economics from Trinity College Dublin, a Masters in Economics from the University of Bologna and a BSc in Business and Economics from the University of Verona. Bruno’s research interests include Development and Agricultural Economics and he has taught a wide array of different economics courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Click here for the slides from this presentation Suporting Students in Working with Data Shane Kirwan Shane is an advisor with PDST in the areas of senior cycle economics and business as well as the leaving certificate vocational programme and is currently on secondment to PDST from Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach. Shane has been supporting teachers of economics with the implementation of the new subject specification since 2019. Click here to view the slides from the presentation Data Visualisation Journey Darren Lawlor Darren Lawlor is a Senior Parliamentary Researcher (Economics) with the Oireachtas Parliamentary Research Service (PRS) within the Oireachtas Library & Research Service (L&RS). An economics and public policy graduate of Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, Darren has previously worked in policy, communications and advocacy roles within the Department of An Taoiseach, Public Affairs Ireland and European Movement Ireland. In his current role, Darren has led the development of in-house data visualisation capacity since 2015 and is the PRS Data Visualisation Team lead. Darren is also the current chair of the Ireland/UK Inter-Parliamentary Visualisation Network (IPVIS), a collaborative network of parliamentary research units across these islands. Click here to view the slides from the presentation Click here for Part 2 of the Video Update on Resources Dr Rachel Farrell Rachel is a former deputy director of the PDST and co-founder of the Young Economist of the Year. Rachel supported schools in the areas of economics and the business subjects as well as the use of digital technologies while with the PDST. Prior to this Rachel was a teacher of economics for over 20 years. Currently Rachel is assistant professor of initial teacher education in the school of education in UCD. Click here for the slides from the presentation Other Resources Click here for a pdf of lots of links that may be useful for you

PDST YEOTY CPD November 2022 In case you missed the annual CPD event for teachers that are interested in entering students into the Young Economist of the Year Competition, you can find all the resources here! Below you will find recordings from all the speakers from the day, and their various presentations. We hope you find them useful in your preparations. If you have any questions regarding anything you see below or anything else relating to the competition, please email youngeconomist@pdst.ie and we will get back to you as soon as we can Click here for Information Flyer about YEOTY 2023 Recording Part 1 Dr Rachel Farrell and Prof Rowena Pecchenino Dr Rachel Farrell some stimulus to help inspire teachers and students along with some helpful resources. Rachel is a former deputy director of the PDST and co-founder of the Young Economist of the Year. Rachel supported schools in the areas of economics and the business subjects as well as the use of digital technologies while with the PDST. Prior to this Rachel was a teacher of economics for over 20 years. Currently Rachel is assistant professor of initial teacher education in the school of education in UCD. Prof Rowena Pecchenino from Maynooth University presents information on how to conduct research, and cite sources correctly. Click here for the slides from Rachel's presentation Click here for the slides from Rowena's presentation Advice from the Judging Panel Dr Kevin Denny Kevin studied economics at University College Dublin and Oxford University. He was a senior researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies in London before returning to take up an academic post in UCD in 1992. He is now associate professor and Head of School in the UCD School of Economics. His research interests include labour markets, education and the economics of health. Click here for the slides from this presentation Recording Part 2 Enda Keenan, Central Bank of Ireland Enda Keenan is an Economist with the Central Bank of Ireland. Enda presented on the role of the Central Bank and discussed inflation in our economy. Click here for the slides from this presentation Other Resources The PDST Economics Team have created a useful Padlet of Resources, both from the CPD day and other links that may be helpful to teachers and students in their preparations. Below is a link to the Padlet Click here for the link to the Padlet

YEOTY Partners YEOTY is only possible thanks to our different partners that help in so many different ways. Read more about our partners, what they do and how they are involved in YEOTY. Oide Oide is a new support service for teachers and school leaders, funded by the Department of Education, formed from the integration of four existing support services and launched on September 1, 2023. Learn More Irish Economic Association Learn More IGEES (Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service) Learn More Central Bank of Ireland Learn More Laois Education Centre Learn More Maynooth University (NUI) Department of Economics Learn More MTU: Munster Technological University Learn More Department of Environment, Climate and Communications Learn More UCD Learn More University of Galway Learn More University of Limerick Learn More Trinity College Dublin Learn More ATU: Atlantic Technological University Learn More ESRI Learn More BSTAI Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland Learn More CSO: Central Statistics Office Learn More Southeast Technological University Learn More UBUNTU Learn More TU Dublin Learn More University College Cork (UCC) Learn More

YEOTY 2021 Virtual National Awards Ceremony Due to Covid-19, our planned awards ceremony in UCD could not take place. Instead, we will be holding our virtual awards ceremony 'live' on Thursday 20th May @ 7 p.m. The live ceremony can be viewed on YouTube on the link below or you can watch it here! Some of the winning entries can be found below. More projects will be uploaded over the next few weeks. Click here to watch the Live Awards Ceremony YEOTY Programme 2021 To download a pdf of the Official Programme for the PDST Young Economist of the Year Awards 2021 please click the button below Download PDST Young Economist of the Year 2021 Winning Entries Overall Young Economist of the Year Amy Bellew, Lois O'Hare, Osarugue Edomwande, Abby Rice, Aoibheann NiFhearaigh, Sophie Begley from Our Lady's College, Greenhills, Drogheda Project: Imperial Economics - The Winds of Change Teacher: Aileen Hanratty Description: We examine the economic policy of Great Britain during the early 20th century through the lens of the Disney Musical 'Mary Poppins'. We consider the role of the Empire's colonies in generating wealth for Britain and the degree to which it relied on environmentally and socially unsustainable means of production. We also evaluate the impact of the prevailing laissez-faire system of capitalism on the welfare of the British working classes. We then review the vulnerability of the banking system to unforeseen shocks. And finally, we question whether the classical model of economics was sustainable and could withstand the social and political upheaval of the next two decades. We conclude that a more proactive model, as proposed by Keynes, would be needed. claimed. Click here to view the project Central Bank of Ireland Award Luke Diggin from Killorglin Community College, Kerry Project: What impact have central banks and monetary policy had on inequality? Teacher: Lisa Cahillane Description: In the past thirty years, income and wealth inequality has hit record levels in Western nations. There is a myriad of elements influencing what has been a thirty-year march of history into our current position. Several factors have been posited for this stark and startling growth, from globalisation to technology to tax reform or the decline of trade unions. In the wake of the financial crisis, many turned their ire in a different direction: banks. While most of this was simplistic, economically illiterate bluster, some important questions were asked, in particular about the role central banks play in creating or exacerbating income and wealth inequality. Recently, some central bankers have even conceded that their work has distributive effects (Matthews & Torres, 2020). The coronavirus pandemic has elevated and entrenched inequality within society. It has also led to yet more expansion of the role in central banks. At no other time in history have inequality and monetary policy been so relevant and so entwined in one other. My research question, inspired by this, is “What impact have central banks and monetary policy had on inequality?” To answer this question I will first examine the theory behind monetary policy’s relationship with inequality, before researching a real-world affect of these theories on the Irish economy. Click here to view the project IGEES Overall Award Saskia Kirkland from Saint Andrews College, Dublin Project: Income inequality throughout the pandemic; how the elasticity of hand sanitizer and face masks are an example on income inequality due to the pandemic Teacher: James Doyle Description: My project is all about income inequality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020 all of our lives have been completely transformed by the pandemic, and the restrictions surrounding it. however, it is clear that these restrictions have had a disproportionate effect on lower-income earners, who have endured the worst of job losses. my project aims to highlight the effect the pandemic has had on widening income inequality, by analysing how the PED of hand sanitiser and face masks have changed since the start of the pandemic. Click here to view the project Senior Environmental and Sustainability Award Saskia Kirkland Fergal Francis from St Andrews College, Dublin Project: "How effective has Irish Government policy been in reducing consumption of non-electric cars and incentivising the usage of electric cars; what happens next and what can the government do?" Teacher: James Doyle Description: In recent years we have, unfortunately, seen the extent of the negative impact humans have on our planet. The increase in CO2 and other harmful emissions caused by traditionally fueled petrol and diesel cars is destroying the earth. In this crisis we turn to the government to help us protect the environment. We wanted to find out what policies the Irish government has introduced so far, and which have been most successful. We did this through looking at how the market equilibrium for electric and non-electric cars changed in reaction to the policies. However, we wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how these policies impacted consumption patterns. To do this we analyzed the PED, YED and XED of electric, hybrid, and traditionally fueled cars. By comparing the elasticities before and after the policies were introduced, we were able to see exactly how well they worked and provide recommendations for the government on future policies. Click here to view the project Junior Young Economist of the Year Hugo Phelan from Glenstall Abbey Project: The Economics of Space Investment Teacher: Mairead O'Sullivan Click here to view the project Junior Environmental and Sustainability Award Daniel Scally and Paul Conway from Tullamore College Project: What are the economic impacts of climate change and renewable energy for Ireland Teacher: John Lowndes Description: Climate Change and the economic implication of climate change is the focal point of our project along with renewable energy, as these are topics that we feel attention must be drawn to urgently. We are extremely passionate about promoting and conserving a healthy environment so that we, as humans, can live sustainably and in unity as a species, on a clean, green planet, without constant fear of the onslaught of natural disasters Click here to view the project

YEOTY 2023 Special Interest Award Winners Below are the winning project entries for the 2023 Special Interest Awards at the Young Economist of the Year Awards Ceremony. They are listed below in the order they were presented at the Awards Ceremony UCD Award Best Use of Policy in a Project Name of Student: Hugh O'Sullivan Sexton Teacher: Eva Acton School: Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar Project Title: The Economy of Cannabis Click here to view the project Maynooth University Award Best Use of Economic Concepts Name of Student: Junjia Li Teacher: Ronan Murdock School: The Institute of Education Project Title: Refugee immigrants: Assets or Burdens? What policies should we adopt? Click here to view the project University of Galway Award Economic Sustainability Name of Students: Jack Gleeson & Ana Bucur Teacher: Michelle Woulfe School: John the Baptist Community School Project Title: Could History Repeat itself? A forecast of the British Economy following Truss's Mini Budget based on comparisons with the "Iron Lady" Click here to view the project Technological University of Dublin Award Creativity Award Name of Student: Amelie O'Connor Teacher: John Lowndes School: Tullamore College Project Title: How can Pokemon be used as an educational tool for Economics Click here to view the project University of Limerick Award Inclusion in Economics Name of Student: Holly Hewson Teacher: Fabian Mak School: Rathdown School Project Title: (P)in(k)flation: Do rapid inflation rates widen gender inequality in Ireland Click here to view the project Munster Technological University Award Spirit of YEOTY Name of Students: Rania Alaorfi & Julia Dluzniewska Teacher: Martin Murphy School: Coláiste Chiaráin Project Title: Are we relying too much on corporation tax? Click here to view the project Trinity College Dublin Award Circular Economy Award Name of Student: Cillian Duignan Teacher: Kate Sheils School: Coláiste Choilm Swords Project Title: Circularity and a Sustainable Ireland Click here to view the project Atlantic Technological University Award Environmental Sustainability Award Name of Students: Benedict O'Sullivan, Michael Owens & Kevin Cooney Teacher: Mairéad O'Sullivan School: Glenstal Abbey School Project Title: Deposit Return Scheme - Can money-back Economics deliver change for good Click here to view the project CSO Award Best Use of Data Award Name of Students: Alexia D'Arcy and Keelin O'Carroll Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: The Irish Housing Crisis: an issue of supply or demand? Click here to view the project Irish Government Economic & Evaluation Sercive (IGEES) Award Irish Government Policy Award Name of Students: Vedh Kannan, Thomas Forbes and Will Carkner Teacher: Matthew Taylor School: Sutton Park School Project Title: Driving Change: The Potential for Congestion Pricing in Irish Cities Click here to view the project Central Bank of Ireland: Silver Award Monetary Policy/Irish Economy Name of Student: Eva Cotter Teacher: Paula Fitzsimons School: St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk Project Title: What is the economic impact of inflation on homelessness in Ireland Click here to view the project Central Bank of Ireland: Gold Award Monetary Policy/Irish Economy Name of Students: Callum Hughes Teacher: Mairéad O'Sullivan School: Glenstal Abbey School Project Title: Energy Challenges/crisis in Ireland: Why are we so energy dependant on other countries and what can we do about it? Click here to view the project

2013/2014 YEOTY Archive Click the links below for past entries from 2013 Click here for Senior Category entries from 2013 Click here for Junior Category entries from 2013

YEOTY 2023 Year Group Winners 1st Year Winners 1st Year Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: Eva Lowndes Teacher: John Lowndes School: Tullamore College Project Title: What is the financial comparison between Ladies' Golf and Men's Golf Click here to view the project 1st Year Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: Harry O'Riordan Teacher: Mairead O'Sullivan School: Glenstal Abbey School Project Title: Curds and Why: Is import substitution creating more sustainability in the Irish Artisan Cheese Sector? Click here to view the project 2nd Year Winners 2nd Year Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: Rory Kinsman Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: Why did electricity prices in Ireland increase by so much in 2022. Click here to view the project 2nd Year Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: Gavin Connolly and Stephen Byrne Teacher: John Lowndes School: Tullamore College Project Title: What is the impact of GAA sport on the Irish economy Click here to view the project 3rd Year Winners 3rd Year Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: Sophie O'Connor Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: An investigation and comparison of the Japanese and Irish fiscal policies Click here to view the project 3rd Year Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: Hugo Griffin Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: Are national incentives to reduce carbon emissions likely to harm global trade? Click here to view the project 3rd Year Prizes 3rd Place Name of Student: Kiku Nakajima Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: How COVID affected Ireland's airline industry Click here to view the project TY/4th Year Winners TY/4th Year Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: Malavika Manoj Teacher: Ian Grace School: Loreto Secondary School, Wexford Project Title: 'An alarming comparison between now and the famine'. Has our relationship with the Irish economy changed? Click here to view the project TY/4th Year Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: David Oskwarek Teacher: Colette O'Callaghan School: Davis College Project Title: The future of globalisation Click here to view the project TY/4th Year Prizes 3rd Place Name of Student: Lauren Meaney Teacher: Ellen Jones School: Coláiste Muire, Ennis Project Title: Fiscal Profligacy Click here to view the project 5th Year Winners 5th Year Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: ZiQi Ma Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: How inflation affects economic inequality? Click here to view the project 5th Year Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: Tabib Haque, Calum Conway, Mobashir Ahadmanish and Cian Carr Teacher: Fergal Douglas School: Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan Project Title: African resource exploitation: De-globalisation and protectionism as future for African nations with consequences for all Click here to view the project 5th Year Prizes 3rd Place Name of Student: Valentina Baratta Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: How can renewables tackle the current inflation crisis? EU case study Click here to view the project 6th Year Winners 6th Year Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: Matthew Kelleher Teacher: Iain Cooney School: Midleton CBS Project Title: Is the current mechanism for purchasing wholesale energy fit for purpose and what can the Irish government do to improve it? Click here to view the project 6th Year Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: Jamie O'Leary Teacher: Iain Cooney School: Midleton CBS Project Title: What effective actions can the Irish government implement to tackle rising gas prices? Click here to view the project 6th Year Prizes Joint 3rd Place Name of Student: Fabiola Grimmeisen, Mona Manno, Marlene Minch Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: Croatia and the Euro Click here to view the project 6th Year Prizes Joint 3rd Place Name of Student: Issac Lee, Luke Yang, Mathis Zeissig Teacher: James Doyle School: St Andrews College Project Title: What are the factors influencing NBA ticket pricing? Click here to view the project Northern Ireland Winners Northern Ireland Prizes 1st Place Name of Student: Isabella Morgan Teacher: Shane McComb School: Sacred Heart Grammar, Newry Project Title: Back to the Future: Is gold providing stability to central banks in unstable times? Click here to view the project Northern Ireland Prizes 2nd Place Name of Student: Lily Brannigan, Lucy Johnston and Orlaith Lambe Teacher: Shane McComb School: Sacred Heart Grammar, Newry Project Title: Unheard Consequences: Unveiling the economic implications of hearing impairment in today's society Click here to view the project