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Around half of companies experienced a cyber incident – survey

Almost half of organisations in Ireland have encountered cyber incidents in the last three years, while one in five have suffered resulting financial loss, according to new research from Microsoft Ireland. The study found that while one-third of companies have experienced a data breach, only 14% have had to report an incident to the National […]

China says exports rise for first time in seven months

Chinese exports rose in November for the first time in seven months, officials said today, as the country navigates a troubled recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the reading compares with a low base from last year when authorities were still wedded to a zero-Covid policy that hammered output and business activity, while a surprise […]

Gas demand sets new record for the month of November

The last three days of November saw exceptional levels of gas demand, new figures from Gas Networks Ireland show, amid a cold snap which saw a sharp increase in the demand for gas to heat homes and businesses. November 30 and the 28 respectively were the highest two November gas demand days ever recorded with […]

Corporation tax take in November up 27% on last year

Corporation taxes recovered strongly in the month of November, helping the Exchequer to deliver a surplus of €5.4 billion. Just over €6 billion was collected in corporation tax, an increase of €1.3bn – or 27% – on last year. For the past three months, corporation tax has come in lower than government forecasts. But in […]

Highest level of new credit union lending in 14 years

Credit unions affiliated with the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) reported the highest level of new lending since 2009 in the last year, the latest results for the group show. In the 12 months to September, loan values were up by €555m. This brought the total ILCU loan book to €5.3 billion with much […]

Irish savers missing out on up to €3.5 billion in interest a year

New research from price comparison website Bonkers.ie shows that Irish savers are collectively missing out on up to €3.5 billion in interest a year as they are slow to put their money into higher yielding savings accounts. Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie, is encouraging more Irish savers to move their money into higher […]

Average Christmas spending set to fall 13% this year – CCPC

Consumers expect average expenditure this Christmas to be down 13% compared with last year, according to a survey conducted for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The survey of 1,035 people found the average spend this year will be €1,030, down from €1,186 in 2022. Those with children under 18 will spend more at […]

Growth in service sector picks up in November

The rate of growth in the service sector picked up in November, new figures show. The latest AIB Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) shows the rates of expansion in total activity and new business both accelerated in the month for the first time since April. The index reached 54.2 last month, up from 52.6 in October […]

Jump in retail salaries predicted for next year

Fashion and other non-food retailers in Ireland are increasing salaries by 10%-12% in a bid to secure and retain top-tier talent, according to the Excel Recruitment 2024 Salary Guide. Excel said the pay rises are putting a financial squeeze on the budgets of smaller retailers. According to the guide, some roles in the retail sector […]

One in four here in ‘precarious employment’

Just over a quarter of workers here are employed in what are deemed to be secure, high quality jobs, an analysis by UCD and the Nevin Economic Research Institute has concluded. However, an equal proportion are employed in what is termed “precarious employment” with low pay and high job insecurity in many cases. The research […]

Latest CSO figures confirm economy in recession

Figures today from the Central Statistics Office confirm that the economy is in recession. The economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), fell by 1.9% in the three months to the end of September, according to the latest figures from the CSO. Modified Domestic Demand (MDD), which more closely tracks the domestic economy, was […]

New cars registered in November slows by 4%

The number of new cars registered in November fell 4% according to new data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). 947 cars were registered during the month, down from 985 in the same month a year earlier. However, despite the fall off last month, so far this year registrations overall are up […]

Latest CSO figures confirm economy in recession

Figures today from the Central Statistics Office confirm that the economy is in recession. The economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), fell by 1.9% in the three months to the end of September, according to the latest figures from the CSO. Modified Domestic Demand (MDD), which more closely tracks the domestic economy, was […]

33,450 homes may be built here in Ireland in 2024 – Euroconstruct

A new analysis has estimated that around 33,450 new homes could be completed here next year. The research also predicts that around 31,000 will be finished this year. The study by independent construction market forecasting network, Euroconstruct, says construction output in Ireland is likely to expand by 3.2% this year. This will rise to 4.4% […]

Manufacturing conditions stabilise in November

Business conditions in the manufacturing sector stabilised in November, new figures show. The latest Purchasing Managers Index from AIB reveals the second highest reading since February. The index rose to 50 from 48.2 in October, and 49.6 in September. Readings above 50 indicate overall growth in activity. Marginal increases in output and orders combined with […]

New tenants are paying 18% more for rent than existing ones – RTB

New tenants are paying considerably more rent than renters with existing tenancies, new official data has shown for the first time. According to information released by the Residential Tenancies Board, the standardised average rent nationally for an existing tenancy between April and June of this year was €1,332. That compares to €1,574 for a new […]

Big increase in demand for construction workers in 2023

The resurgence of construction here meant professional roles in that sector recorded the biggest increase in demand this year, new data shows. IrishJobs TalentBank, a database containing over 1.2m job candidates, shows demand for site engineers rose by 255%, while demand for site managers more than doubled to 157% between the third quarter of last […]

ECB picks ‘European culture’ and ‘rivers and birds’ as themes for new euro banknotes

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank said it has selected “European culture” and “Rivers and birds” as the possible themes to choose from for future euro banknotes. This follows surveys conducted during the summer for the European public to express their preferences from seven shortlisted themes. In the survey commissioned by the ECB, […]