What Could the Mercosur Deal Mean for Irish Shoppers?
Irish households have experienced sustained pressure on food budgets over recent years, with the cost of everyday groceries rising sharply. Products such as beef, butter, milk and cheese have recorded some of the fastest price increases across the European Union, leaving many consumers questioning whether international trade agreements might eventually ease the strain. Recent figures […]
Consumer Confidence Ends 2025 Muted Despite Solid Economic Growth
Irish consumer confidence closed out 2025 at a relatively low level, reflecting persistent concerns about living costs even as headline economic indicators pointed to continued growth. The latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey shows sentiment edging up marginally in December to 61.2, from 61 in November. The movement is modest and does little to alter […]
First Home Scheme Supports Nearly 5,000 Purchases Since Launch
New figures from the latest quarterly update show that the First Home Scheme has played a significant role in helping buyers access newly built homes since its introduction in 2022. To date, 4,887 homes have been purchased or self-built with the support of the scheme, while more than 9,000 applications have received approval. Activity remained […]
Euro Zone Inflation Returns to Target as Outlook Points to Further Softening
Inflation across the euro zone slowed in line with expectations at the end of last year, reaching the European Central Bank’s 2% target and setting the stage for potential undershooting in 2026. Latest figures from Eurostat show that headline inflation eased to 2% in December, down slightly from 2.1% the previous month. The outcome matched […]
UK House Prices Ease to Six-Month Low at Year End
UK house prices edged lower in December, bringing the average property value to its lowest point in six months, according to the latest Halifax house price index. Data from Halifax shows that average property prices fell by 0.6% over the month, a decline of £1,789, leaving the typical UK home valued at £297,755. This marked […]
House Price Growth Shows Signs of Easing in Late 2025
Ireland’s residential property market appears to be moving into a more measured phase, with the latest MyHome report pointing to a slowdown in price momentum towards the end of 2025. According to the report, produced in association with Bank of Ireland, national asking prices rose by 5.4% in the final quarter of the year. This […]
Government outlines major tourism and enterprise investment drive
The Government is set to unveil a significant new investment programme aimed at strengthening Ireland’s appeal as a global tourism destination, with a particular focus on visitors from India, the United Arab Emirates and the wider Asia-Pacific region. As part of the announcement, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will publish a €4.7 billion […]
How to upskill or reskill for free in 2026
With the pace of change in the workplace accelerating, many people are reassessing their skills and long-term career prospects. Technological advances, including artificial intelligence, are reshaping roles across almost every sector, prompting growing interest in upskilling or reskilling as a way to stay relevant and employable. Developing new skills is not limited to those who […]
Avant Money cuts mortgage rates and boosts cashback incentives
Mortgage lender Avant Money has announced a series of changes to its mortgage products, including lower fixed rates and enhanced cashback offers for borrowers. The lender confirmed that fixed mortgage rates have been reduced by up to 0.35 per cent. In addition, cashback incentives have been increased, with customers now able to receive 2 per […]
Fuel Industry Warns of Further Increases in Petrol and Diesel Prices
Motorists are being warned to prepare for higher fuel costs following a series of policy measures that came into effect at the start of the year. Fuels for Ireland has urged the Government to re-examine the current fuel taxation framework, arguing that recent changes are placing additional strain on households and businesses. The industry body […]
Irish House Prices Close in on Celtic Tiger Highs
Residential property prices continued to climb throughout last year, with new data showing that average asking prices nationally rose by 5.5%. The latest report from Daft.ie highlights that listed prices are now only around 10% below their peak during the Celtic Tiger period. By the final quarter of the year, the average asking price for […]
Petrol Continues to Lead Irish Car Market Despite Shift Toward Electrification
New car registrations increased modestly last year, with the latest industry data showing a 3% rise compared with the previous year. Figures released by Society of the Irish Motor Industry indicate that 124,954 new cars were registered nationwide in 2025. Electric vehicle uptake accelerated sharply over the period. A total of 23,601 battery electric cars […]
European Car Sales Continue Upward Trend as Electric Vehicles Gain Ground
New car registrations across Europe increased in November for the fifth consecutive month, supported by continued growth in electric vehicle uptake across several major markets. Figures released by the European automobile industry body show year on year gains driven largely by rising demand for battery electric and hybrid models in countries such as Germany, Italy […]
AIB Expands Cash and Cheque Lodgement Network Across Ireland
AIB has begun rolling out a new generation of Cash and Cheque Lodgement machines as part of a €40 million investment programme across its branch network. The initiative will see 60 new machines installed in 127 branches nationwide, improving access to everyday cash services for personal and business customers. The new machines allow customers to […]
Italian Regulator Fines Ryanair Over Alleged Market Dominance Practices
Italy’s competition authority has imposed a €255 million fine on Ryanair, alleging that the airline abused its dominant position in its dealings with travel agents. The decision centres on claims that the carrier restricted how travel agencies could sell Ryanair flights alongside other airlines or bundled travel services. According to the regulator, Ryanair created economic […]
Government expands housing investment fund with new €400m equity programme
The Government has confirmed a significant expansion of its housing investment strategy, announcing a new €400 million equity programme through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. The move brings total equity backing for homebuilding under the fund to €800 million since the initiative was launched in mid-2023. ISIF, which is managed by the National Treasury Management […]
Sophisticated bank scams highlight growing risks for customers
Bank customers are being urged to remain alert this Christmas as fraudsters deploy increasingly convincing tactics designed to impersonate well-known financial institutions. Recent scam activity shows a shift towards highly polished phone-based fraud, where criminals use authentic bank recordings to create the illusion of legitimacy. The scam typically begins with a text message claiming to […]
Digital ads drive majority of online purchases among Irish shoppers
New research indicates that digital advertising continues to play a decisive role in online buying behaviour, with more than half of Irish consumers influenced to make purchases through ads on websites and social media in the run-up to Cyber Monday. The findings come from the latest Digital Consumer Index, commissioned by Digital Business Ireland and […]