ECB set to dial back stimulus one more notch
The European Central Bank is all but certain to dial back its stimulus one more notch today while pledging to keep supporting the financial system next year, sticking to its long-held view that alarmingly high inflation will abate on its own. With the euro zone’s economy now back to its pre-pandemic size, pressure is mounting […]
Risks remain for credit unions despite improvements – Central Bank
A new report on the credit union sector by the Central Bank reveals another challenging year as credit unions continued to navigate through the impacts of Covid-19 as well as other business challenges. The Central Bank’s eighth Financial Conditions of Credit Unions Report said credit unions participated in the recovery in credit demand as Covid […]
Govt announces supports for firms hit by flooding
The Government has opened the Humanitarian Support Scheme to small businesses, sports clubs and voluntary organisations that have been affected by flooding as a result of Storm Barra, and are unable to secure flood insurance. The scheme will also provide funding to a small number of business impacted by flooding in Fermoy in County Cork […]
Is it time to rethink employment services for the long-term unemployed?
Opinion: the experience of those using public employment services such as JobPath shows they’re not fit for purpose At the last count, just over 225,000 people were on the Live Register or receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This figure will no doubt increase in the coming weeks, as the latest wave of restrictions take hold. […]
Private sector staff should seek pay rises up to 4.5%, ICTU and Nevin Economic Research Institute recommends
Private sector employees should seek pay increases of between 2.5% and 4.5% during 2022, guidance issued by the Private Sector Committee of ICTU and the Nevin Economic and Research Institute has recommended. The bodies say such claims are justified on the basis of the strong and rapid economic growth expected next year, with personal consumption […]
Cabinet expected to sign-off on €100 electricity credit plan
Ministers are expected today to sign-off on a plan to assist households struggling with the rising cost of electricity bills. It is believed that a once-off €100 credit will be recommended by the Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan at a Cabinet meeting this morning. It is anticipated the measure will […]
56% of workers will only apply for flexible or remote working jobs – Indeed
A new survey shows that 56% of Irish working-age adults say they will in future only consider jobs that offer flexible working, or allow them to quit the office forever. The latest monthly Job Search Survey from Indeed also shows that 18% of respondents said in future they would only apply for jobs allowing remote […]
The Christmas bonus – the costs and considerations for employers
Christmas parties have been cancelled but employers who can afford to are still marking the festive season by giving employees a Christmas bonus. The practice of paying bonuses as a reward to staff for their contribution to the success of the business during the previous year, is a tradition that is very much welcomed by […]
Construction sector continues to see strong growth despite challenges
Construction firms continued to experience strong growth in November, the latest Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers Index survey shows. The Ulster Bank Construction PMI posted a reading of 56.3 in November, down marginally from 56.9 in October but still showing a sharp monthly increase in total activity. November also marked the seventh month of growth […]
30% milestone of women on ISEQ 20 boards passed in 2021
A new report shows the percentage of women on the boards of ISEQ 20 companies this year rose to 31% from 18%. This means that the top publicly listed companies in Ireland are well on track to achieve the 33% goal by the end of 2023. The fourth report of the Balance for Better Business […]
Rising energy prices push inflation to 20-year high
The annual rate of inflation rose to 5.3% in November, its highest level since June 2001. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show the biggest increases were in the cost of transport, electricity and gas bills. This period of intense inflation is not over yet, even if the pace of increase has slowed […]
Study: 79% say climate change should be high priority for Govt
An Environmental Protection Agency study has found 96% of people believe climate change is real, while 90% believe the country has a responsibility to act on climate change. The survey, entitled Climate Change in the Irish Mind, asked 4,000 people about their attitudes and beliefs around climate change and their opinions on government policy. It […]
Davy revises up economic growth prediction to 15.5%
Davy has revised upwards its forecast for Irish GDP growth to 15.5% in 2021 and 6.7% in 2022 due to a buoyant multinational sector and a strong rebound in domestic activity. The stockbrokers had previously predicted growth of 10% for this year and 5.6% for 2022. It said the revision mainly reflects the “exceptional performance” […]
Govt to announce financial supports for businesses
The Government is expected to announce new financial supports for companies which have been negatively affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that the new scheme must be targetted at helping businesses in the hospitality, late night and live entertainment sectors. The latest Covid-19 restrictions came into force on Tuesday and […]
Virtual general meetings allowed to continue as Companies Act extended
The interim period of the Companies Act 2020 has been extended to the end of April next year following Government approval this week. The Act makes temporary amendments to the Companies Act 2014 and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 to address issues arising as a result of Covid-19. It ensures that 240,000 companies […]
Report highlights ‘seismic’ potential of digital economy in Ireland
The digitisation of the Irish economy could potentially be worth around €300 billion in 2023, accounting for 65% of economic output. That is according to forecasts by Amárach and the International Data Corporation contained in a new report by Microsoft Ireland. The research, which was carried out with over 360 business decision makers and technology […]
Bord Bia: Food service sector won’t fully recover until 2023
The food service sector in Ireland will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 at the earliest, according to a new report by Bord Bia. While the value of the sector increased by 14.6% this year, the Irish food promotion board said it remains 41% lower than pre-pandemic turnover levels. Bord Bia said it expects […]
‘Exceptional growth’ in economy despite Covid – Ibec
Business representative group Ibec has said the economy is going through a period of “exceptional growth” despite Covid and that should allow the worst impacted sectors to be supported through the winter under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. In its latest Quarterly Economic Outlook, Ibec expects the economy to grow this year by 13% and […]