Category Archives: News

Digital ads drive majority of online purchases among Irish shoppers

New research indicates that digital advertising continues to play a decisive role in online buying behaviour, with more than half of Irish consumers influenced to make purchases through ads on websites and social media in the run-up to Cyber Monday. The findings come from the latest Digital Consumer Index, commissioned by Digital Business Ireland and…

Sophisticated bank scams highlight growing risks for customers

Bank customers are being urged to remain alert this Christmas as fraudsters deploy increasingly convincing tactics designed to impersonate well-known financial institutions. Recent scam activity shows a shift towards highly polished phone-based fraud, where criminals use authentic bank recordings to create the illusion of legitimacy. The scam typically begins with a text message claiming to…

Government expands housing investment fund with new €400m equity programme

The Government has confirmed a significant expansion of its housing investment strategy, announcing a new €400 million equity programme through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. The move brings total equity backing for homebuilding under the fund to €800 million since the initiative was launched in mid-2023. ISIF, which is managed by the National Treasury Management…

ISME cautions against passing grid upgrade costs onto businesses and consumers

The Irish SME Association has warned that planned investment in Ireland’s electricity grid should not result in higher energy bills for businesses or households. The organisation argues that while upgrading the national network is necessary, the financial burden should not be transferred directly to end users. The warning follows comments from the energy regulator indicating…

Banks warn of surge in text message scams as festive season approaches

Irish banks are warning consumers and businesses to be on high alert for a rise in so-called smishing scams in the lead-up to Christmas, as fraudsters increasingly exploit busy periods and heightened online activity. New figures show that text message fraud remains the most common source of payment scams reported by customers this year. AIB…

Central Bank warns housing targets remain difficult as supply pressures persist

The Central Bank has warned that achieving the Government’s target of delivering 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030 will remain difficult, pointing to ongoing constraints across the construction sector. While the bank has slightly upgraded its outlook for housing output, it remains cautious about the pace at which supply can increase. According to…

House Price Inflation Moderates Slightly as Regional Gaps Persist

Residential property prices continued to rise in the year to October, with annual growth easing marginally to 7.3 percent, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office. This compares with a revised growth rate of 7.5 percent in September, suggesting price inflation remains strong despite signs of a gradual slowdown. The figures show…

ECB Expected to Keep Interest Rates on Hold as Euro Zone Growth Holds Up

The European Central Bank is expected to leave interest rates unchanged, reflecting a growing confidence that the euro zone economy is proving more resilient than previously feared. Recent economic data from across the single currency area has outperformed earlier ECB forecasts, easing pressure on policymakers to consider near term rate cuts. Growth across the 20…