Category Archives: News

House prices at seven times average income as supply dwindles further

Asking prices for property rose by almost 10% in 2021, according to an analysis by the property listings website, myhome.ie. Asking price inflation came in at 7.4% in the capital, but at 10.6% elsewhere around the country. Quarterly prices also rose by 1.3% nationally in the final three months of the year with Dublin asking…

Minimum pricing on alcohol comes into effect

The introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol in Ireland came into force today. The new law will largely affect alcohol sold in off-licences, shops, and supermarkets. A broad breakdown of the new measures shows a standard bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than €7.40 and a can of beer for less than €1.70….

Consumer confidence drops, driven by Covid concerns

Irish consumer confidence dropped again in December, as concerns around Covid-19 and the cost of living intensified. The KBC Bank consumer sentiment index dropped to 74.9 from 83.1 in November – its weakest reading since February, indicating a clear deterioration in the mood of Irish consumers. December saw the third largest monthly fall since the…

Donohoe says optimistic about economic recovery in 2022

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said that the heightened level of pandemic supports will remain in place until the end of January in line with most recent public health restrictions. Paschal Donohoe said the Government will monitor the current level of restrictions on a daily basis, but that the plan is not to change…

Government announces expansion of Covid-19 supports

The Government has announced enhanced business support schemes for the hospitality and arts sectors hit by the latest restrictions. This includes reopening the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to new applicants and a relaxation of the turnover reduction figure for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme scheme to 40%. There is also an extension of tax warehousing….

Donohoe announces plan to reduce stake in AIB

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said he intends to sell part of the State’s 71.12% directed shareholding in AIB Group over the next six months. The shares will be sold through a pre-arranged trading plan that will be managed by Merrill Lynch International (“BofA Securities”). BofA Securities was appointed to the role from the Department of…

Cabinet to discuss changes to Covid business support scheme

The Cabinet will meet this morning where changes to the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) are expected to be discussed. Businesses affected by the latest round of Covid-19 restrictions will be able to avail of the financial supports. The number of businesses that will be able to receive financial assistance is set to be increased…

‘Follow the spirit’ of new Covid guidelines – Holohan

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said that the new restrictions beginning today will substantially cut the volume of total social contact across society if people follow “not just the letter but the spirit” of the guidelines. Dr Holohan said that “it is now down to people individually” to confine social engagements to small…