Maev-Ann Wren
Encyclopedia
Maev-Ann Wren is an Irish
economist, journalist, author and former economics editor of the Irish Times newspaper. She has written two books about the Irish health system and her writings have often been mentioned during Dáil and Seanad debates, and in parliamentary committee. She has been described in the Seanad as "a recognised expert on health care."
and attended University College Dublin
. She graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree
in history and economics; this was followed by a master's degree
in economics. She was the second female auditor in the history of the university's Literary and Historical Society in 1978.
Ethics Center Fellow for 2005.
She won the 2001 National Media Award for newspaper analysis and comment for her October 2000 series, An Unhealthy State, on the Irish health system. The following year, she reached the short list for the 2002 National Media Award for Specialist Writer of the Year for her work on a series, States of Health, comparing Irish health care with other countries'.
Her first book Unhealthy State — Anatomy of a Sick Society (2003) examined the crisis in Irish medical care, and described options for reform. Her second book, How Ireland Cares — The Case for Health Reform (2006) began life as a study of the Irish health system commissioned by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
in preparation for negotiations with the government. It was written with American health economist Dale Tussing and argued for a universal health insurance system for all in Ireland.
Since leaving the Irish Times in 2004, Wren has conducted independent research and worked towards a PhD in health economics at Trinity College Dublin, while continuing to contribute journalism and reports to The Sunday Business Post
, Village
magazine and the Economic and Social Research Institute
's Quarterly Economic Commentary.
Wren is a Dubliner
and is married to Cormac O'Rourke; they have two daughters, Claire and Sorcha.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
economist, journalist, author and former economics editor of the Irish Times newspaper. She has written two books about the Irish health system and her writings have often been mentioned during Dáil and Seanad debates, and in parliamentary committee. She has been described in the Seanad as "a recognised expert on health care."
Early life
Wren grew up in RathminesRathmines
Rathmines is a suburb on the southside of Dublin, about 3 kilometres south of the city centre. It effectively begins at the south side of the Grand Canal and stretches along the Rathmines Road as far as Rathgar to the south, Ranelagh to the east and Harold's Cross to the west.Rathmines has...
and attended University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
. She graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in history and economics; this was followed by a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in economics. She was the second female auditor in the history of the university's Literary and Historical Society in 1978.
Career
Wren worked at the Irish Times from 1980 to 2004 where she covered economic, political and social matters and produced an award-winning series of articles. She has reported from Dublin, Belfast and the United States, and worked as a financial reporter, business features editor, economics editor, columnist, editorial writer and senior newspaper editor. She has studied and travelled in the United States on a World Press Institute fellowship, and was a Fordham UniversityFordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
Ethics Center Fellow for 2005.
She won the 2001 National Media Award for newspaper analysis and comment for her October 2000 series, An Unhealthy State, on the Irish health system. The following year, she reached the short list for the 2002 National Media Award for Specialist Writer of the Year for her work on a series, States of Health, comparing Irish health care with other countries'.
Her first book Unhealthy State — Anatomy of a Sick Society (2003) examined the crisis in Irish medical care, and described options for reform. Her second book, How Ireland Cares — The Case for Health Reform (2006) began life as a study of the Irish health system commissioned by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Irish Congress of Trade Unions
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions , formed in 1959 by the merger of the Irish Trade Union Congress and the Congress of Irish Unions , is a national trade union centre, the umbrella organisation to which trade unions in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland affiliate.-Influence:There...
in preparation for negotiations with the government. It was written with American health economist Dale Tussing and argued for a universal health insurance system for all in Ireland.
Since leaving the Irish Times in 2004, Wren has conducted independent research and worked towards a PhD in health economics at Trinity College Dublin, while continuing to contribute journalism and reports to The Sunday Business Post
The Sunday Business Post
The Sunday Business Post is an Irish national Sunday newspaper published by Post Publications Limited. Post Publications is owned by Thomas Crosbie Holdings. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, Ireland, the average weekly circulation was 57,783 for the period January to June 2009. The...
, Village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
magazine and the Economic and Social Research Institute
Economic and Social Research Institute
The Economic and Social Research Institute is a think tank in Dublin, Ireland. Its research focuses on Ireland's economic and social development in order to inform policy-making and societal understanding....
's Quarterly Economic Commentary.
Wren is a Dubliner
Dubliner
A Dubliner is a person from Dublin in Ireland.Dubliner could also refer to one of the following:*Dubliners: collection of short stories by James Joyce*The Dubliners: Irish folk band*The Dubliner: contemporary commentary on Dublin...
and is married to Cormac O'Rourke; they have two daughters, Claire and Sorcha.
Selected works
- Unhealthy State: Anatomy of a Sick Society. Dublin: New Island, 2003. ISBN 1902602889.
- How Ireland Cares: The Case for Health Care Reform. With A. Dale Tussing. Dublin: New Island, 2006. ISBN 1905494238.
- Health Spending and the Black Hole. Article in ESRI's Quarterly Economic Commentary, September 2004.
External links
- Biographical Sketch: Maev-Ann Wren, Health Research Board.
- Maev-Ann Wren, New Island Books.
- Visiting Lecturers: Maev-Ann Wren, Fordham University.
- Only doctors can prescribe. Review of Wrens's first book, Unhealthy State. Dr Maurice Gueret, Sunday Independent.
- No remedy for our health system ills. Review of Unhealthy State by Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent.
- Mary Harney would do well to read this. Review of Wrens's second book, How Ireland Cares. Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent.
- Unhealthy State at New Island Books.
- How Ireland Cares at New Island Books
- Photograph of Maev-Ann Wren.
Mentions during government debates
- Estimates, 1986. - Vote 3: Department of the Taoiseach (Revised Estimate). Deputy John Kelly, Dáil Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 368, 3 July, 1986.
- Health Services: Motion, Senator Joanna Tuffy, Seanad Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 178 - 17 November 2004.
- Tax Reliefs and Exemptions: Presentations. Mr. Paul Sweeney, Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, Tuairisc Oifigiúil 26 October 2005.
- Other Questions. - Social Welfare Code. Deputy Willie Penrose, Dáil Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 619 - 11 May, 2006.
- Public Hospital Land: Motion. Senator Fergal Browne. Seanad Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 183 - 31 May, 2006.
- Health Bill 2006: Second Stage. Deputy Liz McManus, Dáil Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 630 - 24 January, 2007.
- Cancer Services: Motion (Resumed), Deputy John Gormley, Dáil Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 630 - 1 February, 2007.
- Private Members’ Business. - Co-location of Hospitals: Motion, Deputy Michael D. Higgins. Dáil Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 637 - 27 June, 2007.
- Child Care Services: Statements. Senator Ivana Bacik, Seanad Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 191 - 21 October 2008.
- Health Bill 2008: Second Stage. Senator Ivana Bacik, Seanad Éireann - Tuairisc Oifigiúil Volume 192 - 12 December, 2008.