Calls for more modular housing to address shortages
Modular housing units need to be constructed in higher volumes in order to address the housing shortage crisis, according to the Director General of Engineers Ireland. Damien Owens argues that advantage should be taken of modern construction methods that can help to alleviate pressure on the housing market while improving sustainability in construction. He added […]
Four in five firms plan pay increases next year with average of 3.8%
Around four in five businesses are planning on increasing pay for employees in 2024, with an average pay rise of 3.8%. This is according to the latest Pay and HR Update, an annual survey of around 400 firms conducted by business group, Ibec. The figure is in line with the 84% of companies that increased […]
Petrol and diesel prices dip in October – AA Ireland
The latest AA Ireland monthly Fuel Price Survey shows a slight drop in petrol and diesel prices over the last month, while the cost of running an electric vehicle has also fallen. The price of petrol is down from €1.85 in September to €1.83 and diesel has fallen by one cent from €1.85 to €1.84 […]
EU signs digital services agreement with Ireland
The European Commission has signed an administrative arrangement with the newly established media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, to support new EU online safety rules. The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires big tech firms to do more to police illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Ireland will play a leading role in enforcing the DSA, […]
New competency framework to drive higher standards in corporate governance
A new competency framework to drive higher standards in corporate governance is being launched today by the Institute of Directors. The new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework has been introduced in response to the ever-evolving policy, regulatory, macro-economic and governance environment in Ireland. It is designed to foster improved collective board strength and responsibility, the […]
Euro zone PMI hits lowest in nearly three years, stirs recession worries
Euro zone business activity took a surprise turn for the worse this month as demand fell in a broad-based downturn across the region, a survey showed, suggesting the bloc may slip into recession. HCOB’s flash euro zone Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global and seen as a good guide to overall economic […]
Entry requirements for civil service expanded
The Government has announced the expansion of the eligibility requirements to apply for civil service jobs in a bid to promote greater diversity in the service. The move will allow more people from a migrant background to apply to enter the civil service. Potential candidates holding ‘Stamp 4’ permissions will now be able to pursue […]
Annual wholesale electricity prices fall over 60% in September – CSO
Wholesale electricity prices have fallen by 61% in the 12 months to September according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. Despite the overall fall, the last two months have seen the price began to rise again, up nearly 5% in September and 11% in August. The news comes as cuts in domestic […]
Average home rebuilding cost rose 12% over last year
The average cost of rebuilding a house rose by 12% over the last year, new research has found. That is less than the 21% rate of increase in the previous 12 months, the report by the Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland found. The rate of increase was broadly steady across the various regions of […]
Planned changes to rules around minimum corporation tax among measures contained in the Finance Bill
The Finance Bill, which puts the tax changes announced in last week’s Budget into legislation, has been published by the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath. It runs to 270 pages and also includes changes to corporation tax rules to implement the so-called Pillar Two of the OECD tax reforms. Pillar Two refers to one part […]
Average home rebuilding cost rose 12% over last year
The average cost of rebuilding a house rose by 12% over the last year, new research has found. That i’s less than the 21% rate of increase in the previous 12 months, the report by the Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland found. The rate of increase was broadly steady across the various regions of […]
55% of office workers spend two to three days a week ‘on-site’
New research has found that 55% of office workers in companies in Dublin now spend two to three days on site each week. That marks a 7 percentage point increase since Dublin Chamber and Savills last measured the trend during the last three months of last year. The study found the increase has been driven […]
National Women’s Enterprise Day takes place today
Events marking the 17th National Women’s Enterprise Day are taking place around the country today. The Local Enterprise Office-led initiative aims to celebrate female entrepreneurs and female-led start-ups, while also encouraging others to pursue their own business ideas. It comes on the back of a sustained focus on encouraging female entrepreneurs by LEOs, as well […]
Values-led approach to food security required – DCU report
A report on Global Food Security will be presented to the UAE ambassador to Ireland by DCU’s Centre for Religion, Human Values and International Relations ahead of COP 28. The United Nations annual climate change conference, also known as the ‘Conference of the Parties’ or ‘COP’, brings together world leaders, ministers and negotiators to agree […]
ECB starts ‘preparation’ for digital euro
The European Central Bank took a further step today towards launching a digital version of the euro that would let people in the 20 countries that share the single currency make electronic payments free of charge and securely. “The next phase of the digital euro project – the preparation phase – will start on 1 […]
Job vacancies for professionals fell 2% in last quarter
The number of professional job vacancies dropped by 2% between July and September, when compared to the previous three months. August was the strongest month of the period, with September recording a 16.7% decline in job opportunities as firms re-evaluated hiring needs, seasonal variations and continued economic uncertainties, according to the Morgan McKinley Quarterly Employment […]
Circular Thinking: The economy-wide move to cut waste
At the moment our economy – and really the global economy – is largely linear. That means that we tend to have a straight line from raw materials being pulled out of the ground, made into a product, bought and used by consumers, and then ultimately dumped. Then the cycle starts again with some new […]
Report finds Ireland’s pension system ranking has improved slightly
Ireland’s pension system has improved slightly in the past year when compared with global peers, a new index has found. The Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index ranked Ireland’s retirement income system in 13th place, up one spot from a year earlier. It follows a modest increase in its index score, from 70 last year […]