Motor insurance costs rose slightly in first half of 2023
Average motor insurance premiums rose marginally in the first half of last year, compared to the year before, new data from the Central Bank has shown. Premiums increased by 0.5% to €561 during the period after a decreasing trend that had been seen since the second half of 2017. However, the small increase in premiums […]
Up to 53,000 new dwellings needed per year to cater for population growth – ESRI
A new report from the ESRI shows that 35,000 to 53,000 new dwellings will be needed annually based on projected population growth scenarios. The report looks at forecasts for population levels and related housing requirements using census and research data, as well as various forecasts on international migration patterns. The research was funded by the […]
Sharpest fall in manufacturing activity in almost a year
June marked the sharpest decline in activity in the manufacturing sector in eleven months, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index published by AIB. The headline index fell to 47.4 in June from 49.8 May. Any measure below the 50 breakeven point signals contraction in a sector. The downturn was driven by a contraction in […]
67% of people say buying first home more challenging than ever
New research commissioned by life insurance and pensions firm Royal London Ireland has found that 67% of Irish people say that it is more difficult than ever to buy their first home. The research also shows that 27% agree that while it is difficult to get on the property ladder, this has always been the […]
Fall in number of mortgages approved in May
New figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show there was a fall in the number of mortgages approved by Ireland’s main banks in May compared to the same time last year. That was driven by a more than 10% fall in approvals for first time buyers, although BPFI said that was in part due […]
Strong increase in June sentiment survey suggests Irish consumers sense brighter days ahead
The consumer mood improved this month, according to the latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey, on the back of lower fuel costs and an ECB rate cut. The latest index shows that after months of weak data, the pick up in June has been big enough to undo half of the declines that had been […]
Fall in number of mortgages approved in May – BPFI
New figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show there was a fall in the number of mortgages approved by Ireland’s main banks in May compared to the same time last year. That was driven by a more than 10% fall in approvals for first time buyers, although BPFI said that was in part due […]
Irish household deposits rose by €1.1bn in May
Irish household savings rose by €1.1 billion in May when compared to April, according to data published by the European Central Bank. The increase comes on the back of a €140m dip in savings levels in April, and brings total household deposits to €155.6 billion. “The really important piece of context here which makes all […]
Workers’ incomes set to rise this year and next as wages rise and inflation falls – ESRI
Workers in Ireland should see their incomes rise in real terms both this year and next, due to falling inflation and ongoing increases in wages. The Economic and Social Research Institute is forecasting that on average earnings should rise by more than 4% this year and closer to 5% next year. But this will be […]
Insolvencies up 25% in first half of the year
The number of insolvencies here was 25% higher in the first six months of the year than it was in the same period of 2023, according to two new reports. However, when compared to the first three months of the year, the number of insolvencies between April and June is down 15%. According to data […]
Annual second-hand home prices up by 5.5%
New figures from estate agent Sherry FitzGerald show that the average value of second-hand homes in Ireland saw a 1.8% increase in the second quarter of 2023. Sherry FitzGerald said this contributed to an overall 5.5% increase over the past 12 months, an increase from the 3.4% annual growth rate recorded the same time last […]
New Minister for Finance to be formally appointed in Dáil
The new Minister of Finance Jack Chambers will be formally appointed this afternoon. The Dublin West TD will succeed Michael McGrath, who has been nominated as Ireland’s next European Commissioner. The elevation of Mr Chambers to one of the top posts in Government will take place in the Dáil later. After a vote, he will […]
McGrath nominated as Ireland’s next European Commissioner
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has been nominated as Ireland’s next European Commissioner. The move was agreed by Government party leaders last night before being formally approved by a meeting of the Cabinet this morning, when Taoiseach Simon Harris presented the nomination to the Government. Mr McGrath has thanked his Cabinet colleagues, saying it was […]
14% of companies using AI to evaluate job applications
14% of companies are using artificial intelligence to evaluate job applications, new data shows. This includes scanning CVs or scoring job candidates to help filter and identify the most suitable candidates based on the job description. The research carried out by recruitment firm Hays Ireland shows that 80% of candidates want to be informed when […]
Annual age related Govt spending to rise by €16bn by 2050
Annual Government spending that is dependent on age will be €16bn higher by 2050 than it is today because of Ireland’s ageing population, new research has found. The analysis, conducted by the Department of Finance, found by the middle of the decade, annual age-related expenditure will have risen from 22% of Modified Gross National Income […]
HSA carried out 10,000 workplace inspections last year
The Health and Safety Authority carried out almost 10,000 proactive workplace inspections last year, according to the authority’s annual report. The HSA conducted 83 investigations into fatal accidents, of which 43 were deemed work-related. Of the 43 work-related fatalities reported, the majority occurred in agriculture, which accounted for 20 deaths, and construction, which accounted for […]
Grocery inflation slows again to reach 2.5%
New figures from Kantar show that grocery inflation stood at 2.5% in the 12 weeks to June 9 – the lowest level of grocery inflation since March 2022 and down from 2.6% in May. Kantar said the slowing inflation rate offers shoppers something of a lifeline in terms of lower prices, but consumers remain on […]
Prices sought for homes are up 6.7% in the second quarter – Daft
Prices sought for homes across the country rose by an average of 3.8% between April and June when compared to the previous quarter, new data from property listings website Daft.ie shows. The rise is the largest quarter-on-quarter gain since mid-2020. The increases brought to €340,398 the average advertised price for a home in Ireland. That […]