The News

Value of mortgages lent by ILCU credit unions up 51% in the last year

The total value of mortgages lent by credit unions affiliated to the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has risen 51% in the past year. Publishing its annual results for the financial year to September, the ILCU said its mortgage loan book has expanded from €371m to €560m. That means that mortgages now comprise a […]

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Costs are top election issues for businesses – Ibec study

The cost of doing business is the top election issue exercising the minds of senior business leaders, new research by Ibec has found. 25% said it was the most pressing challenge that they want to see in the general election campaign. Housing was the next most important concern, cited by 22% of respondents. The provision […]

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High costs and lack of skills impacting business growth plans

High costs and a lack of skilled workers are impacting the growth plans of many companies, new research shows. The latest All-Island Business Monitor by InterTradeIreland, which compiles the views of businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland, paints a broadly positive picture. Almost 40% of businesses said they are growing, while over half are stable. […]

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Home commencements up 62% in October – Dept of Housing

Work started on 4,249 homes last month which represents an increase of 62% on October 2023, according to official figures from the Department of Housing. Dermot O’Leary, chief economist with Goodbody Stockbrokers, said the “figures look strong” compared to average monthly commencement data. Builders have been encouraged to start work on housing this year because […]

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Most consumers don’t trust Black Friday deals

Most consumers do not trust Black Friday deals, new research shows. The report published by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) reveals that just 30% of consumers believe that the discounts displayed by businesses are genuine. The findings are being released ahead of Black Friday which takes place this day next week, 29 November, […]

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Last year’s tax take jumps by 50% compared to 2020 – CSO

Total tax revenue last year was 50% higher than it was in 2020, new data from the Central Statistics Office shows. €116 billion in taxes and social contributions were collected by the State in 2023, the CSO said, an increase of 5% on a year earlier. The growth was in large part propelled by corporation […]

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Residential property prices up by 10% in September – CSO

Property prices are continuing to accelerate and are up 10% in the 12 months to September, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The latest figures show that prices rose by 10.8% in Dublin and 9.4% outside the capital. The median cost of buying a home nationally was €346,000. The lowest prices […]

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Employment rate hits new record high in third quarter

The rate of employment in the country has increased once again, hitting a new record high, according to the latest Central Statistics Office figures. The Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of the year shows that the estimated employment rate for people aged 15-64 years was 75.3% – the highest rate recorded since the […]

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Average home rebuilding costs climb 6.2% in the last year

The national average cost of rebuilding a home has risen by 6.2% in the last year. That is lower than the 12% increase recorded last year and the 21% seen in 2022. But the new research by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) found that the rate of growth in rebuild costs over the […]

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Health insurance prices increased by 11% this year

The Health Insurance Authority is urging consumers to review their policy and shop around to ensure they are not overpaying while securing the right coverage for their needs as the health insurance renewals period nears. The HIA said that private health insurance now costs €1,712 on average with price increases of 11% so far this […]

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