Tax take in first 8 months 12.6% ahead of last year
New figures from the Department of Finance show that the amount of tax collected by the State in the first eight months of this year rose by 12.6% on the same time last year on the back of higher income tax, corporation tax, VAT and excise duty. The latest Exchequer figures from the Department of […]
Government warned by Fiscal Council over management of public finances
The State’s fiscal watchdog has issued a stark warning to the Government about its management of the public finances with less than a month to go before the last budget ahead of the general election. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that ministers are “needlessly” adding pressure to the economy by repeatedly breaking a […]
Government warned by IFAC over management of public finances
The State’s fiscal watchdog has issued a stark warning to the Government about its management of the public finances with less than a month to go before the last budget ahead of the general election. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has warned that ministers are “needlessly” adding pressure to the economy by repeatedly breaking […]
Electricity sector climate pollution at lowest in decades
Climate pollution from Ireland’s electricity sector is now at its lowest level for decades, according to new figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The data shows greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation fell by 17.2% in the first six months of this year, on top of a separate 20% reduction in electricity emissions […]
Dublin Airport set to breach 32m passenger cap this year
Dublin Airport looks set to breach its cap of 32 million passengers this year, its operator daa has warned. In a statement this morning. the company said that despite efforts to dampen airline demand, it now forecasts that passenger numbers in 2024 will be closer to 33 million. Daa said 3.46 million passengers went through […]
Report recommends forum of state bodies to tackle mortgage arrears issue
A new Government commissioned report has called for the establishment of a forum of senior representatives from departments and bodies to focus on further reducing mortgage arrears. The forum should meet twice a year to oversee the implementation of the Mortgage Arrears Review Group’s recommendations and to recommend any necessary measures needed to tackle the […]
Electricity sector climate pollution at lowest in decades, says SEAI
Climate pollution from Ireland’s electricity sector is now at its lowest level for decades, according to new figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The data shows greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation fell by 17.2% in the first six months of this year, on top of a separate 8% reduction last year. The […]
Ibec warns against complacency ahead of general election
Complacency about future business growth is a key risk facing the country ahead of the next general election. That’s the view of employers’ representative organisation, Ibec, which launched its election manifesto ahead of the next national vote, the date of which has yet to be decided or disclosed. Ibec says the current strength of Ireland’s […]
New electric vehicle sales down over 25% so far this year
Just over 15,000 new electric vehicles have been sold so far this year, down over 25% on the same period last year. The latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) reveal that 1,259 new EVs were registered last month, down over 29% on August last year. The Volkswagen ID.4 has been […]
Chartered Accountants Ireland and CPA Ireland finalise amalgamation
Chartered Accountants Ireland and CPA Ireland have started to operate as one institute under the Chartered Accountants Ireland brand. Members of the two Irish-based accountancy bodies first voted on an amalgamation proposal in February. A majority of members voted in favour of uniting the two organisations to create a single institute to better represent the […]
CSO’s Census Pilot Survey to test new online census
The Central Statistics Office said today that its Census Pilot Survey will take place in 44 locations across the country during September. Census 2027 will be the first census in Irish history where the public will have the option to complete their census form online. The CSO is conducting the Census Pilot Survey to test […]
Annual inflation falls to 3-year low of 1.1% – flash data
Inflation in Ireland is continuing to ease, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HIPC) is estimated to have increased by 1.1% in the 12 months to August and is up 0.1% since July. This compared to 1.5% in the 12 months to July when […]
Annual wholesale electricity prices up over 15% in July – CSO
The wholesale cost of electricity rose 3% in the month to July, new data from the Central Statistics Office shows. It meant that prices were 15.3% higher than they were in July of last year. However, prices are still 58.5% lower than they were in July of 2022, when they were still being severely influenced […]
42% of new homes sold in 2023 were part of a block sale
Four out of every ten new homes sold last year across the country changed hands as part of a transaction where multiple units were sold together, new research has claimed. In total there were 7,306 new units sold as part of such “block sales” the analysis by estate agents DNG has found. Block sale buyers […]
Consumer confidence falls slightly in August
Consumer confidence dropped slightly in August, according to the latest Credit Union consumer sentiment index. Concerns about household finances in the months ahead and a renewed nervousness about the economy weighed on consumer thinking, the survey states. It suggests that the looming seasonal increase in spending pressures is adding to the lower consumer mood. “The […]
Changes to work permits to come into force next week
Changes to employment permits, designed to make the system more flexible, will come into force from Monday 2 September. Regulations giving effect to the Employment Permits Act were signed today. Under the new rules, certain categories of permit holders will be able to change employer after a nine month period. A new seasonal employment permit […]
Wage Subsidy Scheme set to be expanded
The Wage Subsidy Scheme, which offers private sector employers a subsidy to provide employment to people with disabilities, is to be expanded. A number of changes to the scheme have been announced following a review of the initiative. The scheme pays a minimum subsidy rate of €6.30 an hour to the employer, which can increase […]
First time buyers continue to drive mortgage approvals
Just over 5,300 mortgages were approved in July, the latest figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show. First time buyers continue to drive the bulk of the activity, accounting for almost two thirds – 61.9% – of all approvals in the month. Just under a quarter of approvals were granted to those looking to […]