Commercial vacancy rate hits new high of 14.4%
The national commercial vacancy rate hit a new high of 14.4% in June, new data shows. 30,246 commercial units were classified as vacant across the country, according to the latest GeoDirectory report. The analysis, prepared by EY, found that the commercial vacancy rate increased in 14 out of 26 counties surveyed. “While the national commercial […]
Monthly grocery sales rise by 5.4% in latest four week period
New figures from Kantar today show that take-home grocery sales increased by 5.4% in the four weeks to September 1 as Irish households prepared for the new school year. Shopping frequency increased by 0.7% in September, along with an increase in average prices of 2.4%, while volumes per trip were also up slightly by 0.4% […]
Euro zone rates should be cut gradually – ECB economist
The European Central Bank should keep cutting interest rates gradually, its chief economist said today, after policymakers reduced borrowing costs last week for the second time this year. “A gradual approach to dialling back restrictiveness will be appropriate if the incoming data are in line with the baseline projection,” Philip Lane said in a speech […]
Investment package aims to boost tourism to Gaeltacht islands
A multi-million euro investment package has been announced to boost tourism and develop new visitor attractions on two islands. Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta will work in conjunction with comharchumann (community cooperatives) on Inis Mór and Cléire to bring the projects to fruition. It is part of an initiative to encourage Gaeltacht visits and […]
8 changes to look out for in Budget 2025
Ahead of Budget 2025 in October, here are eight changes to look out for: 1. Inheritance tax At present if somebody inherits from a parent, they pay 33% capital acquisition tax on everything above 335,000. This threshold will almost certainly rise to €400,000. The €65,000 increase will be welcomed by many in the context of […]
Call for tax exemption for companies developing sites
A developer has told a conference there should be an exemption from the Government’s planned zone land tax for companies that are working on developing sites. The Cabinet is introducing a 3% annual levy to discourage speculators from hoarding land that can be used for housing. Senior managing director of US group Hines Brian Moran […]
Consumer sentiment has rebounded, research finds
Consumer sentiment has rebounded markedly, new research has found. According to the latest PTSB Reflecting Ireland report, respondents are now more positive than they were at any time since 2022 about the economy, with 61% expecting it to get better or stay the same over the coming year. 38% said they were positive about the […]
ECB cuts euro zone interest rates again
The European Central Bank cut interest rates again as euro zone inflation slows and economic growth falters, but provided no substantial clues to its next step, even as investors bet on steady policy easing in the months ahead. The ECB lowered its deposit rate by 25 basis points to 3.5% in a widely expected move, […]
Inflation eases to three year low of 1.7% in August
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the annual rate of inflation eased to 1.7% in August from an annual rate of 2.2% in July. The CSO said this is the first time since June 2021 that its official measure of annual inflation has been below 2%. Today’s figures show that the most […]
Rebound of hiring confidence in the tech sector – survey
Ireland’s tech sector expects a resurgence in hiring confidence following consecutive quarters of stagnant recruitment, according to the latest Manpower Group Employment Outlook Survey. The study shows that hiring optimism in the sector has reached its highest level since the post-pandemic hiring boom. Despite this, hiring at volume is expected to remain subdued, with high-skilled […]
US consumer inflation eases more than expected in August
US consumer inflation eased more than expected last month, according to government data published today, likely bolstering calls for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week. A rate cut by the Fed would act to boost demand in the world’s largest economy. That would give the Democratic party some good economic news to […]
European Central Bank expected to further cut interest rates
The European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by 0.25% later today. The development follows a significant drop in inflation across countries which use the euro. An announcement is expected from the ECB early this afternoon. Last month, inflation in the eurozone fell back to 2.2% which is close to the ECB’s […]
Tourism providers report disappointing summer season
New research from Fáilte Ireland has found the crucial summer tourism season was a disappointing one for more than half of operators here. 53% of those industry providers had fewer customers this summer than last, with 23% reporting similar levels and 24% recording more. The data from the national tourism development authority also found that […]
Apple tax funds ‘cannot be used for day-to-day spending’, says Tánaiste
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that the €14 billion in tax due to Ireland following the ruling against Apple cannot be used for day-to-day spending, adding that the Government will give careful consideration on how best to use the funds. Apple this morning lost its fight against the European Commission’s ruling that it underpaid €13 […]
UK economy shows no growth in July as manufacturing sags
Britain’s economy stagnated for a second month in a row in July as manufacturing output dropped sharply, an inauspicious start for the new government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer who wants to accelerate the pace of growth. Economic output showed no change in month-on-month terms in July, as it did in June, data from the […]
Draft review of stamp duty does not advocate for increase in rate
A review of the stamp duty rate on the purchase of ten or more homes is not advocating for a hike in the 10% rate. RTÉ News has learned that the early draft of the Department of Finance’s review favours leaving the rate unchanged. The study of the rate commenced earlier this year following a […]
Australia plans social media minimum age limit
Australia plans to set a minimum age limit for children to use social media citing concerns about mental and physical health, sparking a backlash from digital rights advocates who warn the measure could drive dangerous online activity underground. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would run an age verification trial before introducing age minimum […]
State completes latest renewable energy auction, but at relatively high price
The State has completed the fourth auction under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS 4). The process saw more than 2GWh of capacity provisionally procured, enough to power up to half a million homes. Four wind farms will provide 1,146 GWh of that total, coupled with solar projects that will generate 925GWh. The average weighted […]