Maev-Ann Wren

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." [1]

Contents

Early life

Wren grew up in Rathmines and attended University College Dublin. [2] She graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in history and economics; this was followed by a master's degree in economics. [3] She was the second female auditor in the history of the university's Literary and Historical Society in 1978. [4]

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 University Ethics Center Fellow for 2005. [3] [5]

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'. [5]

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. [6]

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. [3] [5]

Wren is a Dubliner and is married to Cormac O'Rourke; they have two daughters, Claire and Sorcha. [7] [8]

Selected works

External links

Mentions during government debates

See also

References

  1. ^ Seanad Debate. Senator Ivana Bacik, 21 October 2008. Retrieved: 2010-08-28.
  2. ^ Ruby and Silver Jubilarians UCD News, November 2003. Retrieved: 2010-08-28.
  3. ^ a b c Biographical Sketch: Maev-Ann Wren Health Research Board, 2006. Retrieved: 2010-08-28.
  4. ^ L&H book review. Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, Spring 2006. Retrieved: 2010-02-28.
  5. ^ a b c Visiting Lecturers: Maev-Ann Wren. Center for Ethics Education, Fordham University, New York. 2004. Retrieved: 2010-02-28.
  6. ^ Mary Harney would do well to read this. Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent. July 2, 2006. Retrieved: 2010-02-28.
  7. ^ Maev-Ann Wren. New Island. Retrieved: 2010-02-28.
  8. ^ Unhealthy State, Preface by Maev-Ann Wren. Dublin: New Island, 2003. ISBN 1902602889.