News

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) meets in Athens today where it’s widely expected to leave interest rates on hold for the first time since last summer. Recent economic indicators have shown the euro area is slowing down. The ECB has raised interest rates ten times since July of last year in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]