Asking prices for homes rose 9% in third quarter, but rate eases
Asking prices for homes in the third quarter were up 9% across the country compared to the same period last year, according to two separate reports by property websites myhome.ie and daft.ie. It compares to a rate of 13% in the second quarter of the year, suggesting the rate of increase is moderating. “The latest […]
Consumer confidence steady, but business sentiment slips in September
Bank of Ireland said its latest Economic Pulse suggests that households and firms have taken the Government’s latest re-opening roadmap in their stride. The bank said that with much of the economy already back operating and the public health situation under control, the consumer and business mood was little changed on the month. Its headline […]
Tánaiste signals increase in minimum wage in coming year
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil that there will be an increase in the minimum wage in the coming year. Mr Varadkar said there would be pay increases in most parts of the economy and that was why indexation of tax bands was required. He said these are not tax cuts and just ensured […]
Tánaiste confident of pension, tax and welfare packages in Budget 2022
The Tánaiste has told business leaders that he is confident that the Government is in a position to include a pension, welfare and personal income tax package in next month’s Budget and needs to. Leo Varadkar also said that index linking income tax credits and bands is in the Programme for Government and that to […]
Almost €1.2 billion worth of mortgages approved in August – BPFI
New figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show that mortgage approvals fell by 9.2% in August following a record high in July. But mortgage approvals continued to show growth on an annual basis, rising by 18% in August compared to the same month last year. Banking and Payments Federation Ireland said that a total […]
Donohoe and Yellen hold ‘constructive’ corporate tax talks
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has spoken with the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the current OECD process that aims to reform global corporation tax rules. Mr Donohoe described the call as “constructive” and said that he and Ms Yellen had agreed to stay in contact. “The ultimate ambition for us all is to […]
One third of business leaders say Covid has changed required skills sets
Nearly a third of business leaders say the requisite skills and experience on the board of their organisation have changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is according to the latest Director Sentiment Monitor research, published by the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland today. The monitor also found that business leaders identify increased demand over […]
British Irish Chamber calls for ‘Shared Islands Fund’ to reboot UK-Ireland economic relationship
The British-Irish Chamber of Commerce has called for the establishment of a “Shared Island Fund” to help boost the economic relationship between Ireland and the UK post-Brexit. In its pre-budget submission, the Chamber said the fund could help traders and encourage research partnerships. It also called for targeted supports for agri-food firms, and the expansion […]
Taxing times for Government as corporation tax decision looms large
When Paschal Donohoe gets to his feet on October 12th to deliver the Budget, watch out if his speech contains a key line. Last year he said: “…I would like to take this opportunity to again reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to the 12½ per cent corporation tax rate.” This year, by Budget Day, we may know […]
Continued support needed for tourism sector – minister
The tourism sector will not be “healed overnight” and will continue to need support as recovery continues, Minister Catherine Martin has said. Minister Martin was speaking at an in-person conference organised by Fáilte Ireland. The event, at Dublin’s Convention Centre, is part of a drive to attract business conferences, events and meetings back into Ireland […]
More work needed on insurance, legal competition issues – NCPC
Issues around the cost of insurance, legal services and credit have not received the urgent attention required to support competitiveness and productivity. That is according to the state’s competitiveness watchdog, the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC). The Council also says the cost of pension auto enrolment and statutory sick pay need to be balanced […]
Government to help those struggling with increasing fuel bills – Ryan
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan has said the Government will have to look at similar and potentially larger measures in this year’s Budget to support those struggling to pay fuel bills because of rising energy costs. Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Minister Ryan said these rising energy costs are as […]
Govt in ‘constructive’ talks with OECD on corporation tax
The Government are engaging in “constructive” discussions with the Organisation for Cooperation and Development on corporation tax, the Taoiseach has said. Earlier this year the OECD said that 130 countries and jurisdictions have signed up to a plan that will bring sweeping new reforms to global corporation tax rules. Ireland was not on the list […]
Advantages of remote working should not be lost – Forsa
The largest public service union here will begin negotiations with the Government later this week on the future for working – post pandemic. The head of communications of Forsa, which represents around 80,000 public and civil servants, said the union wants to build on the momentum of remote working that was forced upon employees as […]
Public services a priority in Budget 2022 – McGrath
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has said there will be a number of key objectives in framing Budget 2022. Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme, Mr McGrath said that it includes the priority of public services being able to resume in “as normal a way as possible” after a difficult 18 months and people […]
Thousands begin return to office as Covid-19 measures ease
Tens of thousands of workers across the country will begin returning to their offices and places of work from today, as Covid-19 restrictions ease further. Rules around organised indoor group activities are also being relaxed, while limits on outdoor group activities for participants are being removed. The changes come some 18 months after non-essential workers […]
EU Economy Commissioner confident Ireland will sign up to new tax deal
The EU’s Economy Commissioner has said he is confident there is “a chance to find a shared way” that would see Ireland sign up to a global tax agreement that would see the corporate tax rate increase to 15%. Paolo Gentiloni told Morning Ireland that he knows how challenging the issue is for Ireland. The […]
State will spend €41bn on pandemic supports, report finds
The State will end up spending €41 billion on pandemic supports, according to a paper from the Tax Strategy Group. The paper also says future changes to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) will require an employer to make a contribution to employee wages. The Tax Strategy Group (TSG) is made up of civil servants […]