Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. Will they furnish the committee with the report on research and development they mentioned to Deputy O'Callaghan? It was mentioned that a report was released last week. A witness made reference to a report that examined how investment in research and development could work. I understand it related to the equity side. I would be very interested to read that report and I think it would be quite good.

When committees are discussing the budget side of things, I like to learn as much as possible. Some of my questions will relate to how things are defined because last week the ESRI, Social Justice Ireland and IFAC came before the committee. The ESRI discussed the one in five children who are in poverty when housing is included and the fact that every child has to live somewhere. We delved into that a little bit.

One of the things that stood out to me in the opening contribution related to real disposable income. From the information I received from the ESRI, I understand disposable income is earnings plus benefits minus taxes and PRSI. Before we delve into a conversation about that, is that the calculation the institute uses?