Irish Social Issues: Explore Contemporary Challenges in Irish Society

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a primary social issue confronting Ireland today?

Accepted Answer

Transportation

Answer

Housing

Answer

Education

Answer

Healthcare

Question 2

The Irish housing crisis is primarily driven by:

Accepted Answer

Both rising prices and shortage of affordable housing

Answer

Increasing house prices

Answer

Insufficient affordable housing

Answer

Restrictive government regulations on new housing construction

Question 3

The Irish healthcare system can be characterized as:

Accepted Answer

Hybrid, with both public and private elements

Answer

Universal and publicly funded

Answer

Private and fee-based

Answer

Non-existent

Question 4

What is **one** of the key challenges facing Ireland in terms of population aging?

Accepted Answer

Increased demand for healthcare services

Answer

Pension sustainability

Answer

Intergenerational inequality

Answer

Ageism

Question 5

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in addressing social issues in Ireland. What is NOT a function of NGOs?

Accepted Answer

Directly implementing government policies and programs

Answer

Providing essential social services to vulnerable populations

Answer

Advocating for policy changes and reforms

Answer

Raising awareness about important social issues

Question 6

What is a defining characteristic of Ireland's healthcare system?

Accepted Answer

Universal healthcare coverage

Answer

Primarily funded by private health insurance

Answer

Eligibility based on income and assets

Question 7

What is the primary objective of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring universal and equitable access to healthcare services

Answer

Facilitating private healthcare options

Answer

Regulating medical professionals

Answer

Overseeing health research initiatives

Question 8

What is a distinctive feature of the Irish social welfare system?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on universal benefits

Answer

Stringent eligibility requirements

Answer

Extensive means-testing

Answer

Reliance on private insurance

Question 9

Which perspective on healthcare provision advocates for patient choice and competition?

Accepted Answer

Neoliberal

Answer

Socialist

Answer

Liberal

Answer

Conservative

Question 10

Which institution is responsible for providing healthcare services in the Republic of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Health Service Executive (HSE)

Answer

National Health Service (NHS)

Answer

Medical Card Scheme

Answer

Private Health Insurance

Question 11

In contemporary Irish society, what is the significance of the Irish language?

Accepted Answer

Represents an important symbol of cultural identity

Answer

Serves as the official language of the Republic of Ireland

Answer

Spoken by a small minority of the population

Answer

Holds the status of primary language of instruction in schools

Question 12

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the Irish social welfare system?

Accepted Answer

Increased demand for benefits

Answer

Reduced social welfare payments

Answer

No significant impact

Answer

Improved access to healthcare

Question 13

Concise: What is the primary goal of Ireland's National Disability Authority?

Accepted Answer

Accurate: Advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities

Answer

Plausible: Providing direct services to individuals with disabilities

Answer

Relevant: Conducting research on disability-related policies

Answer

Simplified: Raising public awareness about disability issues

Question 14

Which factor is widely considered the primary contributor to Ireland's current housing crisis?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient supply of affordable housing

Answer

Rapid population growth

Answer

Escalating construction costs

Answer

High levels of investment from overseas buyers

Question 15

What is the official name of the publicly funded healthcare system in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Health Service Executive (HSE)

Answer

National Health Service (NHS)

Answer

Universal Health Insurance

Answer

Private Health Insurance

Question 16

Which political party in Ireland has traditionally advocated for social justice policies?

Accepted Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 17

What is a central argument put forward by advocates for increased educational equality in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

It would reduce social inequality and promote social mobility

Answer

It would enhance the country's economic competitiveness

Answer

It would preserve Irish cultural traditions

Answer

It would increase student enrollment in higher education

Question 18

To what extent do NGOs contribute to reducing social inequality in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

NGOs are essential by providing services and support to marginalized communities.

Answer

NGOs have a limited role due to insufficient funding.

Answer

NGOs worsen inequality by duplicating government services.

Answer

NGOs have no measurable impact on inequality.

Question 19

How has Ireland's social welfare system evolved over time?

Accepted Answer

Gradual expansion, influenced by domestic and international factors

Answer

Sudden shift from private charity to state provision in the early 20th century

Answer

Steady decline in state provision since the 1980s

Answer

Complete overhaul after the 2008 financial crisis

Question 20

The Troubles in Northern Ireland was primarily caused by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Sectarian divisions and power imbalances

Answer

Economic disparities

Answer

British colonial rule

Question 21

The main aim of the Irish language revival movement, known as the Gaelic revival, was to:

Accepted Answer

Preserve and promote Irish culture and identity

Answer

Reduce the influence of the English language

Answer

Increase tourism revenue

Question 22

Which of the following is considered a pressing social issue in Ireland today?

Accepted Answer

Housing affordability

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Space exploration

Answer

Nuclear weapons proliferation

Question 23

Which of the following is a common perspective on Ireland's healthcare system?

Accepted Answer

It provides universal coverage but faces challenges in accessing services in a timely manner.

Answer

It is completely private and unaffordable for many.

Answer

It has no major problems and receives widespread praise.

Question 24

Which of the following is a key challenge facing the Irish education system?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring equity in access and outcomes for disadvantaged students

Answer

Lack of funding for primary schools

Answer

Overcrowded classrooms

Question 25

Which of the following is an economic factor that has impacted Irish social welfare?

Accepted Answer

Stagnant wages and rising inflation

Answer

Expansion of the service sector

Answer

Tax cuts for corporations

Answer

Increased foreign investment

Question 26

Which of the following is a perspective on the role of technology in addressing Irish social issues?

Accepted Answer

It can enhance access to services but also exacerbate inequalities.

Answer

It is a panacea for all social problems.

Answer

It has no significant impact on social issues.

Question 27

Which of the following is a skill that students should develop in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Critically evaluating different perspectives on social issues

Answer

Advocating for a single ideological position

Answer

Memorizing statistics and facts

Question 28

Which of the following is a recommended approach to studying Irish social issues?

Accepted Answer

Engaging with a variety of sources and perspectives

Answer

Relying solely on textbooks and lectures

Answer

Ignoring historical and political contexts

Question 29

What is widely considered to be the primary contributing factor to the current housing crisis in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Shortage of affordable housing supply

Answer

Decrease in immigration

Answer

Declining population growth

Question 30

Which of the following government initiatives aims to address the affordability challenges in the Irish housing market?

Accepted Answer

Help-to-Buy scheme

Answer

Wild Atlantic Way tourism initiative

Answer

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Question 31

What is a major criticism of the Irish healthcare system?

Accepted Answer

Long waiting times for treatment and procedures

Answer

Excessive government funding for healthcare

Answer

Overabundance of medical professionals

Answer

Lack of access to private health insurance

Question 32

Which of the following is a significant characteristic of the Irish education system?

Accepted Answer

A strong emphasis on religious education in publicly funded schools

Answer

Complete absence of private education options

Answer

Low levels of investment in early childhood education

Question 33

What is a key debate surrounding the future of education in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

The role of religious institutions in the provision of education

Answer

The elimination of standardized testing in primary schools

Answer

The mandatory inclusion of Gaelic language instruction at university level

Question 34

How has Ireland's recent economic boom, often referred to as the 'Celtic Tiger' period, impacted social issues?

Accepted Answer

Exacerbated income inequality and regional disparities

Answer

Decreased the demand for skilled labor

Answer

Led to a complete eradication of poverty

Question 35

What is a significant demographic trend impacting Irish society?

Accepted Answer

An aging population and declining birth rate

Answer

A sharp decline in the overall population

Answer

Mass emigration from rural to urban areas

Answer

A dramatic increase in the proportion of young people

Question 36

Which of the following represents a challenge to social cohesion in contemporary Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Integration of immigrant communities

Answer

Lack of diversity in cultural expression

Answer

High levels of social trust and civic engagement

Answer

Homogeneity of religious beliefs

Question 37

What is a key policy concern related to addressing regional inequality in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Bridging the economic and infrastructural gap between Dublin and other regions

Answer

Limiting investment in rural development initiatives

Answer

Encouraging further concentration of resources and opportunities in Dublin

Question 38

How has Ireland's historical context shaped its contemporary social issues?

Accepted Answer

The legacy of colonialism and conflict continues to influence social and political dynamics

Answer

Its history has had negligible impact on present-day social challenges

Answer

Economic prosperity during the Celtic Tiger period erased all historical legacies