Economy to expand in 2025, employment to grow 2.4% – Ibec forecasts
Employers group Ibec has forecast that the economy will continue to expand in 2025 with employment growing by 2.4%. It said domestic demand would grow by 3% this year and by 2% in 2026. The organisation projected that consumer spending will grow by 3.1% while investment will expand by 4.2% this year. Commenting on the […]
Easing tariff fears cement bets on ECB rate cut next week
European Central Bank policymakers are likely breathing a sigh of relief that the new US administration did not impose the blanket trade tariffs some had feared and a rate cut next week now seems like a done deal. US President Donald Trump held back from imposing trade barriers on his first day in office yesterday […]
Number of BER audits in 2024 up 7% on 2023’s total
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of domestic Building Energy Rating (BER) audits in 2024 came to 153,558, an increase of 7% over the total for 2023. The CSO noted that this was the highest number of BERs issued for any year since 2009. Today’s figures show that the number […]
Ireland levied more than half of Europe’s privacy fines in 2024
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) was responsible for enforcing more than half of the €1.2 billion in European data fines in 2024. The latest GDPR Fines and Data Breach Survey from legal firm DLA Piper shows that the biggest fines imposed by the DPC last year included a €310m penalty against LinkedIn and €251m […]
Irish employers facing worst skills shortage in 20 years – report
Irish employers have reported the greatest difficulty finding candidates with the right skills in 20 years, according to new research. The annual ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey has recorded the highest skills shortage since the survey began, with 83% of employers saying they are struggling to find candidates. Businesses said that IT and data skills are […]
‘Hope’ in US approach to tariffs, says Burke
There was “cause for hope” in the new White House administration’s approach to tariffs, Minister of State for Trade, Employment and Enterprise Peter Burke has said. Speaking in Davos where the World Economic Forum is under way, Minister Burke was referring to Howard Lutnick, co-chair of US President Donald Trump’s transition team, saying that talk […]
Venture capital investments pick up in fourth quarter
Venture capital investment in Ireland remained stable last year and picked up in the final quarter despite the challenging funding environment, and there are signs of confidence returing in 2025. According to the latest KPMG Venture Pulse report, VC investment picked up in Q4, with 29 deals closing in the quarter worth $255.16 million, compared […]
Irish employment market resilient despite US election caution
The forthcoming presidency of Donald Trump in the United States looms large over business in Ireland, and is reflected in the current employment market. The latest employment monitor from Morgan McKinley shows a 14.6% decline in professional job openings for the fourth quarter of last year, as multinationals exercise caution in their hiring strategies. “The […]
SCSI expects national property prices to increase by 6% this year
More than 80% of estate agents who are members of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland believe that current property prices are either “expensive” or “very expensive”. The SCSI’s 42nd annual Residential Review and Outlook report also predicts that national property prices are set to increase by an average of 6% over the next 12 […]
Irish employment market resilient despite US election caution
The forthcoming presidency of Donald Trump in the United States looms large over business in Ireland, and is reflected in the current employment market. The latest employment monitor from Morgan McKinley shows a 14.6% decline in professional job openings for the fourth quarter of last year, as multinationals exercise caution in their hiring strategies. “The […]
Half of Irish firms plan to increase investment in 2025
Almost half of Irish business plan to increase investment capital projects this year, new data shows. This is higher than UK firms, with just 37% planning to invest. The survey carried out by professional services firm Azets Ireland reveals that Irish companies have the highest level of intended investment in Northern Europe. Irish firms plan […]
Petrol and diesel prices continue to rise in January
The latest AA Ireland Fuel Survey shows that petrol prices have risen by two cents to an average of €1.76 a litre in January, while diesel prices have increased by three cents to €1.73 a litre. The rise in fuel prices follows an increase in crude oil prices, from $73 to $82 per barrel. But […]
Wind and solar farms saved Irish consumers €840m since 2000
Wind and solar farms have saved Irish consumers a total of €840 million since the year 2000, according to new research for Wind Energy Ireland. This is despite over €6 billion having to be invested in network costs and government subsidies to develop the renewables sector throughout that period. The analysis suggests a further €640 […]
Holyhead sailings resume following closure in December
Sailings into and out of Holyhead Port have resumed this morning, after a temporary closure due to damage caused by Storm Darragh in early December. Of the two ferry berths that were damaged, one has reopened. However, Holyhead Port has insisted that it will still be able operate at full volume by altering its schedule. […]
Annual inflation rises to 1.4% in December – CSO
Inflation in Ireland is beginning to rise again, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The increase in the cost of living was 1.4% in the 12 months to December 2024, as measured by the CSO’s consumer price index. This marks a doubling of inflation from the 0.7% level recorded in September […]
New govt plans to cut VAT rate to 9% for parts of hospitality sector
The incoming government intends to cut the VAT rate to 9% for food-based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressing in the next budget. It is also understood the new programme for government will contain a commitment to continue work on enacting the Occupied Territories Bill. The move follows commitments in the document, which will be published later […]
SEAI pays record €616m in grants for energy upgrades and projects in 2024
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has said it disbursed a record €616 million in grants and supports for energy upgrades and clean energy projects last year. This represented a 13% increase in activity by the national energy authority in 2024. Two thirds of the funding, or €420 million, was allocated to 54,000 home […]
Land sales across Ireland topped €900m last year
Land sales worth just over €900m were completed across the country last year, new figures show. This is nearly three times the total spend recorded in 2023, but still slightly below the ten-year annual average. The figures from CBRE Ireland show that over €415 million of transactions were recorded between October and December 2024. This […]