Employment rate hits new record high in third quarter
The rate of employment in the country has increased once again, hitting a new record high, according to the latest Central Statistics Office figures. The Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of the year shows that the estimated employment rate for people aged 15-64 years was 75.3% – the highest rate recorded since the […]
Residential property prices up by 10% in September – CSO
Property prices are continuing to accelerate and are up 10% in the 12 months to September, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The latest figures show that prices rose by 10.8% in Dublin and 9.4% outside the capital. The median cost of buying a home nationally was €346,000. The lowest prices […]
Last year’s tax take jumps by 50% compared to 2020 – CSO
Total tax revenue last year was 50% higher than it was in 2020, new data from the Central Statistics Office shows. €116 billion in taxes and social contributions were collected by the State in 2023, the CSO said, an increase of 5% on a year earlier. The growth was in large part propelled by corporation […]
‘High’ life satisfaction rate rises from 24% in 2022 to 29% last year – CSO
New research from the Central Statistics Office show that the proportion of people who rate their overall life satisfaction as “high” has increased from 24.4% in 2022 to 28.9% in 2023. A greater proportion of men (32.1%) reported high levels of overall life satisfaction when compared with women (25.9%), the CSO noted. People aged 65 […]
Health insurance prices increased by 11% this year
The Health Insurance Authority is urging consumers to review their policy and shop around to ensure they are not overpaying while securing the right coverage for their needs as the health insurance renewals period nears. The HIA said that private health insurance now costs €1,712 on average with price increases of 11% so far this […]
Average home rebuilding costs climb 6.2% in the last year
The national average cost of rebuilding a home has risen by 6.2% in the last year. That is lower than the 12% increase recorded last year and the 21% seen in 2022. But the new research by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) found that the rate of growth in rebuild costs over the […]
Unions call on next government to respect workers’ rights
A group of trade unions will today launch its General Election pledge calling on the next government to respect workers’ rights. The ‘Respect at Work’ campaign is backed by SIPTU, the Financial Services Union (FSU), the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) and Mandate. The campaign said it is approaching parties and candidates from across the political […]
Interest rate cut next month not yet certain – Makhlouf
The Governor of the Central Bank has said it would be going a bit far to say an ECB interest rate cut next month is in the bag. However, Gabriel Makhlouf also said the evidence would need to be “pretty overwhelming” to consider a 50-basis-point cut at the meeting on 12 December. The Central Bank […]
Halloween treats boost grocery sales by over 6%
Consumers spent a total of €1.16 billion in grocery stores in the four weeks to 3 November, making it the biggest sales month of the year so far. New figures from Kantar show that grocery sales jumped 6.4%, boosted by Halloween treats and early Christmas purchases. Grocery inflation stood at 3.3%, down on the same […]
Wind generation was third highest on record in October
Wind generation in Ireland was the third highest on record for the month of October, according to new figures from Wind Energy Ireland. The latest figures show that wind energy provided 35% of Ireland’s electricity last month, while solar power and other renewables accounted for 4%. It means that Irish wind farms have generated nearly […]
Skills shortages a top concern within trades – survey
Skills shortages – and the cost of recruiting skilled labour – is the most common concern among tradespeople, according to a new survey. It was cited by 29% of respondents to the Onlinetradesman.com survey – which included builders, plumbers, electricians and landscapers – as their biggest obstacle to their operations and growth. “The issue is […]
Petrol and diesel prices up slightly in November – AA
The latest AA Ireland Fuel Survey reveals a slight increase in petrol and diesel prices for November after three months of fuel price decreases in a row. AA Ireland said that petrol prices have risen by two cents to an average of €1.73 a litre, while diesel prices have increased by a cent to €1.67 […]
Ireland says it expects to meet deadline for workers’ rights directive
The Government has said it expects to meet a deadline today to transpose an EU directive on workers’ rights. Unions however have accused the State of not fully implementing the rules by failing to pass new legislation. The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages seeks to reduce working poverty and inequality by improving statutory minimum […]
Dublin ranks 17 out of 30 cities for real estate investment
Dublin has dropped from 13th to 17th position out of 30 European cities ranked for investment and development potential for 2025. London, Madrid and Paris took the top spots, according to a report by PwC and the Urban Land Institute. When it comes to investing in Ireland, interviewees referenced certain infrastructure deficits and the complexity […]
Building sector running at 77% capacity despite demands
The Irish construction industry is running at around three quarters of its capacity on average at present, despite the strong demand for new housing and infrastructure. That’s according to the latest Construction Market Overview from building services firm Turner & Townsend, covering the period from July to September. Overall 78% of respondents said the construction […]
Onshore wind energy delays may result in 2030 target miss
The slow pace at which onshore wind energy infrastructure is being built in the Republic and Northern Ireland could result in the renewable energy targets set for 2030 being missed. Energy market consultancy Cornwall Insight estimates that at the current level of delivery the target could be missed by as much as three years. Its […]
Most Irish CEOs optimistic about growth and profitability
Most Irish CEOs are optimistic about the economic and business outlook over the next 12 months, new data shows. The latest EY CEO Outlook surveyed 1,200 executives globally – including CEOs in Ireland. 60% of Irish CEOs surveyed said they are either very or somewhat optimistic about managing input costs and the overall cost of […]
Crypto market capitalisation hits record $3.2 trillion
The value of the global cryptocurrency market has topped $3 trillion as the election of Donald Trump as US president spurred bets that friendlier US regulation could usher in a new boom for all corners of the asset class. The sum market value of cryptocurrencies touched a high of nearly $3.2 trillion early on November […]