Western Region ‘continues to lag other regions’, says development commission
A landmark report commissioned by the Western Development Commission (WCD) has found critical challenges facing the western and north western region in the areas of infrastructure, housing and income. The report found that average disposable income in the region is over €3,000 below the national average. New house completions in the western region fell from […]
Unemployment rate of 4.3% for September – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in September, down from a revised rate of 4.5% the same month last year. The CSO also said today that the unemployment rate for August was revised to 4.4% from 4.3%. Today’s figures show that the monthly unemployment rate in […]
Service sector activity rises at strongest rate in 6 months
Activity in the service sector increased at the strongest rate in six months in September as cost pressures eased, new data shows. The latest AIB Global S&P Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) shows that growth of both new business and employment moderated. But outstanding work increased, and the 12 month outlook rebounded since August. The index […]
Inheritance tax free thresholds to increase
The amount that can a person can receive as a gift or inheritance from a relation before having to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax will be increased as part of Budget 2025. The Group A threshold for CAT, which includes gifts or inheritance from parents to their children, will rise from €335,000 to €400,000. The Group […]
Dáil votes through some elements of Budget 2025
The Dáil has voted through elements of Budget 2025. These include excise on tobacco products and changes to value added tax, capital acquisitions tax and stamp duty. Each came into force at midnight. Taoiseach Simon Harris said Budget 2025 was the last of this Government’s mandate and he was looking forward to going to the […]
The latest from the 2025 Budget Announcement
For the latest information from the 2025 Budget Announcement, please visit RTE: https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1001/1472893-budget-2025-politics/
Budget set to contain ‘Universal Companion Pass’
The Cabinet will meet at Government Buildings this morning to approve Budget 2025, which was finalised by the coalition leaders last night. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe will announce the details in the Dáil at lunchtime. It is expected parents will be significant beneficaries of the […]
Budget 2025: Here’s what we know so far
The Budget for 2025 will be announced this afternoon. Coalition leaders met yesterday evening to finalise the details. Here’s what we know will be included so far. The point at which people pay the higher rate of tax of 40% is expected to increase from €42,000 to €44,000. This will be largely to take account […]
Auto-enrolment pension scheme to begin in September 2025
The Government’s new auto-enrolment pension scheme will begin on 30 September 2025. The new start date was agreed by the Cabinet this week, and revealed by the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme. The scheme will mean that 800,000 workers will be automatically added into a private pension scheme, […]
Asking prices for homes rose 3.1% in third quarter
Asking prices for homes across the country rose 3.1% between July and September, according to listings website Daft.ie. It brought the typical listed price for a property here to €344,848. That is an increase of 6.2% compared to the same period last year and more than a third more than at the beginning of the […]
Free schoolbook scheme set to be extended to senior cycle
The extension of the free schoolbook scheme to the senior cycle is among the measures set to be announced in tomorrow’s Budget, following Government discussions last night. Funding is also set to be provided for 1,500 more special needs assistants in schools. Free public transport will be introduced for the under-9s, in a move long […]
Auto-enrolment pension scheme to begin in September 2025
The Government’s new auto-enrolment pension scheme will begin on 30 September 2025. The new start date was agreed by the Cabinet this week, and revealed by the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme. The scheme will mean that 800,000 workers will be automatically added into a private pension scheme, […]
Consumer sentiment unchanged in September
Consumer sentiment remained broadly unchanged in September when compared to the previous month. The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index found that while recent months saw an obvious improvement from the low levels of the previous two years, the upward momentum has stalled. “Irish consumers feel things are not getting notably worse, but there is little […]
Ireland ‘most phished’ country in the world, survey finds
Almost two-thirds of Irish adults have experienced phishing, making Ireland the most phished country in the world, according to new research. Phishing involves the sending of fraudulent emails designed to trick people into disclosing personal information. The Irish rate of phishing is almost twice the global average according to the Worldwide Independent Network of Market […]
Mortgage approvals fell 12.5% in August – BPFI
The number of mortgages approved in August fell by 12.5% when compared to July. New figures from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) show 4,650 mortgages received approval during the month. While that was down on the previous month, it was up by 2.6% on the same period last year. Of the total, 2,862 […]
‘Crucial’ zoned land tax implemented ‘immediately’, says ESRI
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has said it is “crucially important” the implementation of the Government’s residential zoned land tax proceeds “immediately”. The levy is due to take effect from February next year and in the coming days ministers are to discuss how it can be introduced without affecting active farmers. ESRI research […]
Inflation still a big concern for many, research finds
More than a quarter of households remain concerned about inflation, new research has found. That is despite the annual rate of inflation falling back to 1.7%, down more than four percentage points in the last year. After inflation, the Bank of Ireland Savings and Investment Index found the cost of housing and rent was the […]
Cabinet due to sign off on measures to increase housing grants
Older people and people with a disability are set to be eligible for increased housing grants under measures to be signed off by the Cabinet. A review of the housing adaptation grants overseen by Minister of State Alan Dillon has outlined a number of recommendations which would see an increase in grant limits, increases to […]