Govt approves draft bill on family-friendly working
The Government has approved a draft bill aimed at improving family-friendly work practices and supporting women in the workforce. It is part of the Government’s plan to bring the EU’s work-life balance directive into Irish law. When the bill reaches committee stage in the Oireachtas, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman will introduce legislative provisions to […]
Oil prices edge down, recession fears back in focus
Oil prices fell today amid recession fears and a stronger US dollar, though losses were capped by supply concerns after Moscow’s new mobilisation campaign in its war with Ukraine and an apparent deadlock in talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal. Brent crude futures fell 41 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.05 per barrel at 0325 […]
Consumer sentiment sinks to 14-year low on higher energy costs
Consumer sentiment tumbled to levels last seen during the global finance crisis 14 years ago as concerns about the impact of sharply higher energy bills hammered the outlook for household finances, a survey showed today. Confidence has fallen in seven of the last eight months in line with inflation climbing to a near 40-year high. […]
Rising inflation threatens medicine shortages – MFI
The organisation that represents the suppliers of the majority of medicines in Ireland has warned of an increasing risk of shortages due to the impact of inflation. Medicines for Ireland (MFI) said that there are currently 186 medicines listed as being in short supply by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. MFI said that without an […]
Farmers will be included in measures focused on energy bills – Tánaiste
The Tánaiste has said that farmers will be included in any scheme to reduce energy bills. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska in Co Laois, Leo Varadkar said there will be Government help with energy bills that will apply in a number of weeks. However he warned that there is only so much […]
86% of Irish believe energy crisis is harming EU economy, poll suggests
More than three quarters of Irish people believe the energy crisis is harming the EU economy while nearly 60% of people say member states should be allowed to delay meeting their EU climate change targets in order to tackle the energy crisis. The findings are part of today’s Red C/European Movement Ireland opinion poll, which […]
Oil prices tick up on supply woes but Fed rate hike bets cap gains
Oil prices ticked up today on supply concerns, but expectations of another aggressive US interest rate hike capped gains amid investor concerns it could lead to a recession and hurt fuel demand. Brent crude futures rose 11 cents, or 0.1%, to $90.73 a barrel in early trade after falling $1.38 the previous day. US West […]
Pension age stays at 66, carers included in new reforms
The State pension age will remain at 66 and people will be offered the choice to work until 70 in return for higher payments, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has confirmed. Long-term carers will also be provided with a pension for the first time. The Government has also committed to explore a new scheme […]
Cabinet to hear State pension age should not go beyond 66
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys is bringing proposals to Cabinet to ensure the State pension age remains at 66 – rather than 68 as recommended by the Pension Commission. It is understood Ms Humphreys is also recommending a flexible pension age, in which people who choose to work beyond 66 years of age receive […]
Level of mortgage arrears continue downward trend in Q2 – Central Bank
New Central Bank figures show the downward trend in the level of mortgage arrears seen over the past number of years continued during the second quarter of 2022. The Central Bank said the number of home mortgage accounts in arrears fell by 2,071 in the second quarter of the year after a decline of 292 […]
CCPC survey shows gaps remain in pension planning
New research shows that significant gaps remain in Irish pension planning, with 38% of people surveyed having no pension in place. The research was carried out by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and comes during Pensions Awareness Week. When asked by the CCPC the reasons for not having a pension in place, 32% […]
People pushing out retirement plans due to cost of living – survey
A new survey shows that more than two in five people in Ireland without a pension have either delayed starting one or delayed their planned retirement date due to the cost-of-living crisis. The survey was commissioned by Pensions Awareness Week. It also reveals that 4% of pension holders have actually cashed in their pensions in […]
Budget about ‘putting more money in people’s pockets’ – Varadkar
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said the main objective of this year’s Budget is “putting more money in people’s pockets” and also reducing the bills people have to pay. Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, he said there are three elements to a household budget, “what you get paid, how much you get to keep […]
Making a small income from solar power in the home
Most of us have been peering at our gas and electricity bills through our fingers in recent months. And the fear that accompanies the arrival of what increasingly resembles a mortgage repayment is about to intensify even further. Some have already reported receiving utility bills that are two to three times what they were paying […]
Cost-of-living crisis adding to competitiveness challenge – NCPC
The global cost-of-living crisis has added to the urgency for the Government to address Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity position. This is according to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, as it launches its 2022 Competitiveness Challenge report. The publication of this year’s study coincides with an economic environment in which businesses and consumers are grappling […]
European car sales rise in August, ending 13 month run of falls
European new car registrations grew in August, bringing an end to 13 months of consecutive decline, data from the region’s carmaker association showed today. The number of new vehicles registered in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) grew by 3.4% on the year to 748,961 units, the European Automobile Manufacturers […]
Oil ticks up, but on track for weekly loss on recession fears
Oil prices edged higher today but were on track for a weekly decline amid fears of sharp interest rate hikes that would slam global growth and hit fuel demand. Brent crude futures were up 56 cents, or 0.6%, to $91.40 a barrel in early trade, but were down 1.5% for the week so far. US […]
Oil edges higher as market weighs weak demand, potential supply disruption
Oil prices edged higher today as the market balanced weak demand with supply disruption amid a looming rail stoppage in the US, the world’s biggest crude consumer. Brent crude futures was up by two cents to $94.12 a barrel in early trade, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 18 cents, or 0.2%, to $88.66. […]