Over 40% of first time buyers use gifts as part of deposit
Over 40% of first time buyers used gifts as part of their deposit in the first half of this year, according to new figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The latest housing market monitor shows that the median deposit for first time buyers was over €52,000 during that period. Meanwhile, the median deposit […]
Cases of EWSS ‘fraud’ referred to gardaí – Revenue
The Revenue Commissioners have said there have been examples of “absolutely fraudulent behaviour” in relation to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). Chairman Niall Cody said these cases have been referred to gardaí and in the context of the overall money paid out, they are very small. However, he said Revenue was very concerned and […]
NPHET examining hospitality curbs, household visit limit
The National Public Health Emergency Team is believed to be considering a range of curbs on the hospitality sector tonight, with the aim of reducing transmission of Covid-19. The measures being assessed are thought to include eliminating the capacity of people to book multiple tables, and also reducing numbers to six people per table. It […]
Full year deficit could shrink to €5 billion, 1% of GDP
The deficit in 2021 now looks set to fall to as low as €5 billion to €6 billion – only 1-1.5% of GDP – according to an economist. Conall MacCoille, chief economist at Davy, said that would amount to one of the smallest deficits in the OECD. His outlook is based on the latest exchequer […]
Jobless rate, including Covid-19 payouts, falls to 6.9% – CSO
The unemployment rate, including people receiving temporary Covid-19 jobless benefits, fell to 6.9% in November from 7.9% in October, the latest Central Statistics Office figures show today. The CSO said this measure of unemployment had stood at 20.4% the same time last year. Excluding those on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, which will be withdrawn in […]
Eurogroup head Donohoe confident Omicron won’t derail recovery
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is confident the euro zone’s recovery can be sustained into next year even if the Omicron coronavirus variant requires new public health measures, he told the Reuters Next conference today. Mr Donohoe is also the head of the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers. Paschal Donohoe said his confidence was based […]
Health insurance prices to rise, despite stamp duty cut
A health cover analyst has said a cut in the stamp duty rate on private health insurance is likely to be offset by a rise in premiums next year. Dermot Goode, from Total Health Cover said the Government looks set to implement a reduction in stamp duty that will reduce policy costs from €35 to […]
Consumer spending over Christmas to hit €5.4bn, says Retail Ireland
Up to €5.4bn could be spend by consumers this Christmas, Retail Ireland has predicted. This works out at around €832 per household, the organisation claimed, and represents a 5% increase on what was spent last year. In total, the Christmas spend will be €1.58bn more than is spent during the other months of the year. […]
1.4 million to receive Christmas bonus next week
The Department of Social Protection has said 1.4 million social welfare recipients will receive their Christmas bonus next week. Pensioners, carers, people will disabilities, lone parents and those receiving long-term social welfare are among those who will get an additional 100% payment. The qualifying period for those in receipt of an eligible Jobseekers payment has […]
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme rates reduced from today
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme rates will be reduced from today as part of a plan to gradually wind it down. However, business groups and the opposition have called for the support to continue at the full rate because of the impact the most recently imposed Covid-19 restrictions are having on certain sectors. Last month, 25,900 […]
Retail sales dip in October but outstrip pre-Covid levels
Retail sales fell by 1.7% in October compared to the previous month but were 9% up on pre-pandemic levels in the same time of 2019, new Central Statistics Office figures show today. The highest increases compared to 2019 levels were seen in the electrical goods, furniture and lighting and food, beverages and tobacco categories, which […]
Climate action: Consumers want more financial incentives
Most consumers want to take action on climate change, but believe it will cost them financially to do so. That’s according to new research by Permanent TSB and Kantar. It reveals that consumers want to see more financial incentives introduced, to help them transition to a more eco-friendly way of living. In particular, the research […]
Mortgage approvals slow in October – BPFI
New figures from Banking Payments Federation Ireland show a slowdown in mortgage approvals in October both on a monthly and annual basis. BPFI said a total of 4,568 mortgages were approved in October, which marked a monthly fall of 4.2% and a yearly drop of 12.3%. Of these mortgages, 2,533 were for first time buyers, […]
Can we expect pay hikes next year to offset rising prices?
Economists differ at the moment over whether the pace of price increases that we are seeing is temporary, or ‘transient’ as they like to put it. Some argue that the rate at which prices are going up is being influenced by the reopening of the economy as the pandemic restrictions are lifted and what we […]
Is it time for Ulster and KBC Bank customers to switch?
If you are a customer of Ulster Bank or KBC, you may want to start thinking about what bank you will switch to when they withdraw from the Irish market. While both banks say no action is required at the moment, it is worth being prepared well in advance of the closures. Ulster Bank has […]
Consumer and business confidence drops, BoI data shows
Consumer and business confidence dropped this month, amid rising Covid cases and Brexit setbacks. That is according to the latest Bank of Ireland Economic Pulse, which has fallen to its lowest reading in eight months. The survey gathers the views of households and businesses on topics such as finances, spending plans, house prices and business […]
No changes to Central Bank’s mortgage rules
The Central Bank has left its mortgage rules unchanged after its annual review was published today. However, it will now let banks carry forward above-limit loans approved from one calendar year to the next. The Central Bank also announced its intention to introduce new rules for property funds. The mortgage rules are part of the […]
Ireland’s skills strategy to be reviewed as part of OECD process
Ireland’s Skills Strategy is to be reviewed as part of a joint project between the state, stakeholders in the skills sector and the OECD. The review, led by the OECD, will focus on how Ireland is equipped to meet current and future skills needs as well as examining how businesses and employees can be supported […]