Vhi to Increase Health Insurance Prices by Average of 3% from March
Vhi has confirmed that it will raise the cost of its health insurance policies by an average of 3% from the beginning of March, marking the third price adjustment within a 12-month period. The insurer estimates that the increase will add between €35 and €160 to the annual premium for each adult, depending on the […]
Dollar Recovers After US Treasury Reaffirms Commitment to Strong Currency
The US dollar strengthened against a broad range of currencies, rebounding from a four-year low reached in the previous session, after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated that the United States continues to favour a strong dollar. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Bessent said a strong dollar policy is rooted in maintaining sound economic fundamentals. He […]
Why High-Cost Credit Remains a Pressing Issue in Ireland
High-cost credit continues to pose significant challenges for consumers in Ireland, despite legislative efforts to curb the most excessive lending practices. The introduction of the Consumer Credit (Amendment) Act 2022 marked a major regulatory step by placing a statutory cap on interest rates for moneylender loans. Under the revised framework, simple interest is limited to […]
Consumers feel tipping is becoming less of a choice, CCPC research finds
A growing number of consumers believe tipping is shifting away from being a voluntary gesture, according to new research published by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The study found that almost two thirds of people feel tipping has become less voluntary, while three out of four want businesses to make it easier to […]
Why high cost credit continues to pose serious challenges in Ireland
High cost credit remains a significant concern for households across Ireland, despite legislative efforts to limit its most extreme impacts. The Consumer Credit Amendment Act 2022 introduced a cap on interest rates charged by moneylenders, limiting simple interest to 1 percent per week, with a maximum annual charge of 48 percent. When expressed as an […]
Dollar hovers near multi-year lows as markets react to Trump remarks
The US dollar remained under pressure near its weakest levels in almost four years, following comments from President Donald Trump that were widely interpreted by markets as dismissive of the currency’s recent decline. The remarks fuelled further selling of the dollar and supported gains in the yen, euro and sterling, ahead of a closely watched […]
Bank of Ireland revises economic growth outlook
Bank of Ireland has trimmed its forecast for economic growth in 2026, pointing to a slightly slower pace of expansion than previously expected. In its latest economic outlook, the bank now expects Gross Domestic Product to increase by 2.8% this year, compared with an earlier projection of 3.1%. GDP figures capture activity from multinational firms […]
AI skills increasingly feature in Irish job market
Around one in ten job advertisements in Ireland now reference artificial intelligence, according to new research from Indeed. The findings place Ireland ahead of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, underlining the scale and influence of the technology sector within the Irish economy. While AI references remain most common in technology-related roles, […]
Electric vehicles overtake petrol cars in EU December sales milestone
Fully electric vehicles outsold petrol cars in the European Union for the first time in December, marking a significant shift in the region’s car market, according to new figures released by the European automotive industry. Data from European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association shows that battery electric vehicles moved ahead of petrol-powered cars during the month, even […]
Gold pushes beyond $5,100 as investors seek safety
Gold climbed to a new all-time high above $5,100 an ounce, extending a powerful rally as investors moved funds into assets seen as a store of value amid growing geopolitical unease. Spot gold rose by over 2% in early trading, reaching $5,110.50 at its peak before easing slightly. US gold futures followed a similar path, […]
Why focusing on generations can miss what really matters at work
Few workplace ideas have gained as much traction as the notion of generational difference. Baby Boomers are often portrayed as loyal and hierarchical, Millennials as purpose-driven, and Gen Z as seeking flexibility and constant feedback. In sectors under pressure, particularly healthcare, these labels have become shorthand explanations for disengagement and high staff turnover. Managers are […]
Enterprise Ireland-backed firms record continued jobs growth
Companies supported by Enterprise Ireland recorded a net increase of 2,938 jobs last year, bringing total employment across its client base to 232,425, according to the agency’s latest annual report. The figures show that employment growth remained broadly regional, with 69% of new roles created in 2025 located outside the Dublin region. All nine regions […]
IT and Finance Roles Lead Salary Rankings in Ireland for 2025
New research from IrishJobs indicates that professionals working in IT and finance continued to command the strongest earning power in Ireland during 2025, with both sectors recording the highest median advertised salaries across the labour market. According to the data, advertised roles in technology and finance carried a median salary of €80,000 last year. Construction […]
Wholesale Electricity Prices Fall Sharply Over the Past Year, CSO Data Shows
New data from the Central Statistics Office indicates that wholesale electricity prices continued to trend downward at the end of last year, offering some relief after several years of volatility in energy markets. According to the latest figures, wholesale electricity prices fell by 11.7% in December compared with the previous month. On an annual basis, […]
The Growing Challenge of Solar Panel Replacement and Waste
Solar energy plays a central role in the transition to low-carbon power, yet an emerging issue is attracting increasing attention. As early generations of solar panels approach the end of their working lives, concerns are mounting about how they are handled once they are removed from service. Globally, it is estimated that up to 250 […]
Skills shortages now a major strategic risk for Irish businesses, survey finds
A new survey from Ibec suggests that skills shortages have become one of the most pressing challenges facing Irish employers, with more than four in five firms reporting gaps that are damaging productivity, innovation and competitiveness. The 2025 Skills Survey indicates that the disconnect between the skills available in the labour market and those required […]
House price inflation moderates as annual growth slows to 6.6%, CSO data shows
New figures from the Central Statistics Office indicate that residential property price growth continued to ease in November, with prices rising by 6.6% in the year to the end of the month. This marks a slowdown from the revised annual increase of 7.2% recorded in October. On a month-to-month basis, national residential property prices increased […]
EU Parliament backs three-hour delay rule in vote on airline passenger rights
The European Parliament has voted to retain the current three-hour delay threshold for flight compensation as part of proposed reforms to EU airline passenger rights. The decision was taken during a plenary session and also included support for a number of amendments, including clearer rules around carry-on luggage. Despite the vote, any changes remain some […]