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 […]
Irish wind farms set new August generation record
Wind Energy Ireland said that wind generation here hit the highest on record for the month of August. Its figures show that wind power generation in August totalled 1,068 gigawatt-hours (GWh), an increase of 3% when compared to the previous record set during the same month last year at 1,042 GWh. Wind Energy Ireland said […]
Construction PMI flat for second month in a row in August
Construction activity was flat for the second month in a row in August, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index from BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland. The construction PMI showed a reading of 50 – the no-change mark – and which was broadly in line with the figure of 49.9 posted in July. The latest […]
Irish employers least likely to use AI – global survey
Irish employers are least likely to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, according to new global research. The survey of 79,000 businesses across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK was conducted by HR firm The Peninsula Group. The research found that employers in Australia and New Zealand are the most likely to […]
Fixed broadband subscriber lines increase 3%
Fixed broadband subscriber lines increased to 1.67 milllion between April and June, up over 3% on the same time last year. The latest data from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) reveals that over 45% of these lines were fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP). This was up from 35% the same time last year. ComReg said FTTP is […]
New products and services to spur growth for 77% of firms
77% of companies expect to grow their business in the next five years by developing new products and services, research from Deloitte shows. The survey of 128 businesses involved in ‘Ireland’s Best Managed Companies’ programme reveals that 63% plan to increase their headcount, while 56% are planning mergers and acquisitions. Just 2% of the companies […]
Domestic economy grew by almost 2% in first half of 2024 – CSO
The domestic economy grew by almost 2% in the first six months of this year, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. Today’s CSO figures show that personal spending on good and services are continuing to grow and rose by 1.1% in the second quarter of 2024. Wages grew in the quarter by […]
One in three companies struggling to find skilled staff
One in three companies are struggling to find staff with the right skills, new research shows. InterTradeIreland’s latest All-Island Business Monitor reveals that the business landscape across the island is mostly positive. 56% of the 750 companies surveyed said they are stable, while one third are growing. However, access to skilled labour is putting pressure […]
Tax take in first 8 months 12.6% ahead of last year
New figures from the Department of Finance show that the amount of tax collected by the State in the first eight months of this year rose by 12.6% on the same time last year on the back of higher income tax, corporation tax, VAT and excise duty. The latest Exchequer figures from the Department of […]
Government warned by Fiscal Council over management of public finances
The State’s fiscal watchdog has issued a stark warning to the Government about its management of the public finances with less than a month to go before the last budget ahead of the general election. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that ministers are “needlessly” adding pressure to the economy by repeatedly breaking a […]
Government warned by IFAC over management of public finances
The State’s fiscal watchdog has issued a stark warning to the Government about its management of the public finances with less than a month to go before the last budget ahead of the general election. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has warned that ministers are “needlessly” adding pressure to the economy by repeatedly breaking […]