Small rise in claims submitted to injuries board in 2024
The number of personal injuries claims submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board last year rose by 1% to 20,318 when compared with 2023 – but still remain well below pre-pandemic levels. According to the board’s personal injuries and awards report for 2024, the volume of claims is down by 35% on what was seen in […]
Unemployment edges up from record low to 4% in March – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4% in March from a record low of 3.9% a month earlier. The jobless rate in February had matched the previous record low recorded between October 2000 and April 2001 in the early days of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ boom. The […]
‘All options are on the table’ in US tariffs response – EU chief
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned “all options are on the table” in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs threats, saying while the EU does not want an economic conflict it has the “power to push back”. Speaking at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, France, in a debate where […]
Irish household’s net wealth reaches €1.2 trillion
The net wealth of Irish households has reached €1.2 trillion, of which €812 billion is property wealth The new Goodbody Guide to Inheritance and Estate Planning, published today, aims to help people manage the efficient transfer of wealth to the next generation. The report highlights how wealth is unevenly distributed across households with 49% of […]
Low earners took on debt to cope with cost of living – ESRI
Most low-income households had to make high-risk changes to their finances to cope with the cost of living crisis, according to the latest ESRI research. Typical changes included entering arrears, taking on more debt, or eating into savings. The research, conducted by the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit, said such decision are linked to damaging long-term […]
Price of gold rises to near record high as US tariffs loom
The price of gold has been rising on global markets to near record highs. This time last year, gold prices on international markets were trading at below $2,000 (€1,848) per troy ounce. Now they are above $3,000 and predicted to rise further. Gold is often seen as a safer investment when there are political and […]
Previous earnings to be linked to new jobseeker’s payment
A new jobseeker’s payment that is linked to a person’s previous earnings is due to begin. People who become unemployed, and who have at least five years’ paid PRSI contributions, will be entitled to receive 60% of their earnings, subject to a maximum of €450 a week for the first 13 weeks. After that, the […]
Driver number needed for new car insurance from today
The new legal requirement for motorists to provide their driver number when renewing or taking out motor insurance is in effect. It is now an offence for any insurance provider or broker to issue motor insurance to anyone if the driver numbers for all the named drivers on their policy are not provided. Drivers who […]
Minister to allocate €436m for social housing needs
Minister for Housing James Browne is to allocate €436m for social housing needs this year. This includes capital funding allocations of €325m to be used by local authorities for the second-hand social housing acquisitions programme. €111m has also been allocated for 82 new social housing projects which will provide over 1,300 newly built homes, delivered […]
Average price of second-hand home in Dublin nears €600,000
A new property survey for the first quarter of this year shows that the average price of a resale property in Dublin stands at €593,936, an increase of over €50,000 since the end of March 2024. The latest residential market review from estate agents DNG shows the average price of a resale property in Dublin […]
Average first time buyers and mover purchase values hit record levels – BPFI
New figures from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland show that first time buyer and mover purchase values reached their highest levels on record at €322,050 and €375,495 respectively in February. Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland’s latest Mortgage Approvals Report shows that the number of mortgages approved rose by 0.7% month-on-month in February, but were […]
Donohoe ‘extremely concerned’ over potential impact of tariffs
The Minister for Finance has said he is “extremely concerned” about the potential impact of proposed United States tariffs on pharmaceutical exports, warning they could deliver a major blow to Ireland’s economy. Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time programme, Paschal Donohoe said the Government is preparing for “real and significant” difficulties if US President Donald Trump […]
Deadline for Irish workers to top up UK pension looms
Thousands of Irish people who worked in the UK and paid the equivalent of our social insurance, could be entitled to access a British pension. More than 250,000 Irish people may be due to benefit from a significant pension boost, some of whom who have already applied could also be in a position to top […]
‘Ireland was very smart’ – Trump cites pharma tariffs
US President Donald Trump has said the US will be introducing tariffs on pharmaceuticals, specifically citing Ireland among the countries where many pharmaceutical products are made. Speaking in the Oval Office last night, Mr Trump said the tariffs on pharmaceuticals are aimed at bringing the pharmaceutical industry back to the US, claiming the US does […]
ESRI says ‘clear need’ for reform of rent controls
The Economic and Social Research Institute has said there is a “clear need” for reform of rent controls. In its Quarterly Economic Commentary, the ESRI said the existing system causes frequent confusion regarding what increases landlords are permitted to implement. It said rents are not allowed to rise “in real terms” when account is taken […]
ECB rates could fall to 2% by end of summer, Villeroy says
There is still room to lower European Central Bank interest rates further, and the 2.5% deposit rate could fall to 2% by the end of the summer, French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau told a German newspaper. The ECB has cut rates six times since last June but has given little guidance about […]
Energy transition could generate €19 billion a year – SEAI
A new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimates that Ireland’s energy transition will drive up to €19 billion per year of new business by 2030. It said Irish based companies have the potential to capture up to 42% of that amount. The report is being launched at the SEAI Energy Show […]
Over half of complaints to FSPO in 2024 related to banking
Just over half (3,404) of the 6,185 complaints made to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) last year were about banking, with customer service and disputed transactions the main reasons for such complaints. Despite this, the 2024 FSPO Complaints Overview says the number of banking complaints was down by 12% on the previous year. […]