Professor Richard Layte, ESRI, is one of the Theme Directors of Growing Up in Ireland. In this role he co-directs the health and health utilisation theme with Prof. Tom O'Dowd of Trinity College, Dublin.

As an economic sociologist, his research centres on the way in which education, work and institutional factors such as social welfare systems influence any one persons risk of poverty, disadvantage and poor health and the manner in which these elements interact across the life course. His recent work includes an examination of patterns of health care utilisation and how these are influenced by income, health insurance and medical card status. Recent work has also centred on the influence of socio-economic life in certain health behaviours including smoking and using contraception. He has published widely on these and other issues.

Phone: 01 863 2014
Email: richard.layte@esri.ie