Activity in Ireland’s service sector continues to grow
The latest Purchasing Managers Index from AIB marks two and a half years of successive monthly improvement in business activity, new business and employment. The report states that demand in the sector continued to bolster these increases. The index dropped slightly to 55, down from 56.7 in July and 56.8 in June. Readings above 50 […]
Study reveals stress and financial woes facing workers
Many employees are increasingly feeling cash-strapped as inflation continues to impact their ability to spend, according to a survey of Irish workers by PwC. The proportion of the Irish respondents who said that they are able to pay all the bills and have money left over for savings, holidays etc at the end of the […]
Corporation tax take in August down over €1bn on last year
The amount of corporation tax collected in August was over a billion euro less than the amount taken in the same month last year. In a statement, the Department of Finance said ‘a sharp decline’ had been expected but the 36% drop was ‘somewhat higher than anticipated.’ In August last year, the public finances received […]
‘Concerning gaps’ in pension coverage – CCPC
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said that research it has carried out into pensions has revealed some concerning gaps in retirement planning. The survey of 757 people showed that one-in-ten 45-64 year olds do not have a pension. Pension ownership among the 45-54 age group stands at 76%, a sharp decline since […]
Deposit rates finally rise but ‘the devil is in the detail’
When the banks published their half year results in the early part of last month, it was clear that pressure was going to mount on them to improve the returns that they have been offering depositors. All of the main lenders reported bumper profits for the half year with interest income and interest margins looking […]
Economy sees growth of 0.5% in second quarter – CSO
The economy continued to grow in the second three months of the year, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. Measured by GDP, which includes the activities of multinationals, the economy grew by 0.5% compared to the first quarter of the year. Modified Domestic Demand, which excludes some of the activities of […]
AIB and EBS increase rates on saving accounts
AIB has become the latest bank to increase its interest rates on certain savings products, as well as on EBS saving accounts. The move comes amid growing calls for the benefit of European Central Bank rate increases to be passed on to savers. Increased deposit rates of up to 3% for both Regular Savers and […]
NTMA to increase State Savings interest rates
The National Treasury Management Agency said it is increasing the rates that apply to new fixed term and variable rate State Savings products. It also said it will almost treble the Prize Bond fund on offer to holders of Prize Bonds to €48m. All new interest rate changes and the new Prize Bond fund structure […]
Reduced 9% VAT rate to expire at midnight
The reduced 9% VAT rate for tourism, hospitality and some other services will expire at midnight and return to 13.5%. The planned increase is set to go-ahead despite last minute pleas by business organisations for its retention. The Government extended the lower rate for the final time in February. It made the decision after an […]
Inflation rises to 4.9% in August – flash estimate
An initial estimate for inflation, measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), shows prices rose by 4.9% in the 12 months to August. Today’s latest Central Statistics Office figures show that prices rose by 0.5% over the month and the annual rate was higher than the 4.6% recorded in July. The HICP for […]
Motorists facing hike in petrol and diesel prices
Motorists are facing a hike in the cost of refuelling their vehicles from midnight tonight, as excise rates are increased by the Government. Petrol excise rates will increase by 7c per litre while diesel prices will rise by 5c. Agricultural diesel will go up by 1c. It is the second of three increases in excise, […]
European car sales rise 15% in July, EVs up nearly 61%
European new car registrations jumped 15.2% in July, the 12th consecutive month of growth as the auto industry recovers from pandemic-related supply chain issues, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed today. Electric vehicle sales jumped 60.6%, continuing a rise buoyed by subsidies in a number of European Union countries. Full EVs accounted […]
Europe’s bumper Q2 puts global dividend payouts on track for record year
Companies around the world are on track to pay investors a record $1.64 trillion in dividends this year following a more than 6% jump in the second quarter, a report today showed. The figures by fund manager Janus Henderson estimated that 88% of companies globally had either increased their dividends or held them steady in […]
McGrath: Excise duty hike will go ahead in September
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has confirmed that the planned hike in excise duty will go ahead in September as it is already “locked in”. He said the decision had already been made by Government and legislated for by the Oireachtas. However, he said it should take some time to reach consumers. “In the same […]
€17m fund for community-based tourism projects
A fund of €17 million for private and community-based small tourism projects is opening for applications today. Failte Ireland was allocated €68 million in funding in total, the first part of which is focused on grants for small and community projects. It is part of the European Union Just Transition package announced earlier this year. […]
Irish economy tops OECD league table for growth in Q2
Ireland recorded the highest level of economic growth in Gross Domestic Product terms among OECD countries in the second three months of the year. There are 38 member economies in the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Development including the world’s leading economies. Between March and June, GDP growth across OECD economies was estimated to have registered […]
Annual retail sales up 5.9% in July, CSO figures show
The volume of retail sales increased by 5.9% in the 12 months to July, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show. On a monthly basis, sales volumes dropped by 0.8% when compared to June. When motor trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales fell by 4% in the month, and rose by just […]
Do your homework: How to manage back-to-school costs
From shoes and uniforms, to school bags and stationary, back-to-school costs are mounting. It is an expensive time of year for those with children in both primary and secondary school, with many of the expenses unavoidable. A recent study carried out by children’s charity Barnardos revealed that many parents are concerned about meeting the costs […]