Publishing rationale • The 1st edition (published by Gill & Macmillan) established a strong uptake and still has a key position in the literature on Irish social policy. To date it has sold 2,899 copies • All content for this 2nd edition is thoroughly up-dated and revised to take account of the significant changes in Ireland since 2009, making this textbook particularly timely and needed • Addresses a range of social policy topics of growing importance in contemporary Irish society including issues related to children, service users and groups, migration, ethnicity, sexuality and climate change • Will appeal to both undergrad and postgrad students and is a core text for the majority of social policy courses in Ireland • Comprehensive, yet accessible style, and has a logically ordered structure Unique selling point: The book makes a distinct contribution as no other book provides such a comprehensive introduction to Irish social policy and synthesis with the wider discipline.The primary audience for this book will be undergraduate and postgraduate students of Irish social policy and allied subjects such as sociology, housing, health studies, gender studies, equality studies and education.This 2nd edition of a highly respected textbook offers a comprehensive introduction to Irish social policy. It provides an accessible, critical overview taking account of significant changes over recent years. The book is organised across four key sections: 1: Traces the emergence and development of Irish social policy from its origins to the present 2: Situates the Irish case in the wider context of the politics, ideology and socio-economic factors relevant to the development and reform of welfare states 3: Analyses core social service areas with specific reference to the contemporary Irish context 4: Explores how social policy affects particular groups in Irish society including children, older people, people with disabilities, carers, new immigrant and minority ethnic groups, and LGBT people. Discusses the challenges posed by environmental issues and the importance of a social policy perspective Text boxes used throughout provide policy summaries, definitions of key concepts, along with guides for further reading and discussion. This is a valuable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Irish social policy and allied subjects.