Category Archives: News

Household spending plunge pulls down euro zone GDP in the first quarter of 2020

A plunge in household spending and investment pulled down euro zone gross domestic product in the first quarter as the Covid-19 pandemic struck. But the fall was slightly smaller than first estimated, the European Union’s statistics office said.  Eurostat said GDP of the 19 countries sharing the euro contracted 3.6% quarter-on-quarter for a 3.1% year-on-year fall. …

New rules on moneylenders will protect consumers

The Director of Consumer Protection with the Central Bank said new rules for licenced moneylenders will enhance and strengthen protections for customers of these services. Under the new measures, all advertisements for high cost loans with an APR over 23% must include “prominent warnings” and prompt consumers to consider alternatives. While the majority of the regulations will…

NTMA opens latest syndicated bond sale to plug Covid-19 deficit

The National Treasury Management Agency has this morning started the sale of a new 10-year bond, its third so far this year via a syndicate of banks. A market source said the new bond could raise €4 billion to plug the country’s growing budget deficit.  The NTMA has been tasked with raising €20-24 billion this…

Trading online voucher scheme to be expanded amid strong demand

A major expansion of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme to help small and micro enterprises to get online quickly has been announced today.  The scheme is being expanded by €14.2m after the Local Enterprise Offices received three years’ worth of applications in three months following the outbreak of Covid-19 here.  There were 1,218 applications for…

Thousands of retailers reopen after months of closure

Thousands more businesses across the country have opened their doors for the first time in nearly three months, as the second phase of the Government’s plan to get the economy moving again gets under way. All retailers with their own on-street entrances are allowed to resume in-person trade, but opening times and how they operate…

What has been the impact of covid-19 on the property industry ?

Impact of COVID-19 on the property industry

The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent disruptions have led to more job losses and an erosion of income. This has led to a downswing in the property industry as the number of buyers has dropped significantly, property prices have become unstable, homeowners have become financially incapacitated, and consequently, have compelled  Irish Banks to grant them…

Businesses urged not to miss out on energy supply suspension scheme

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has warned businesses that they could miss out on energy savings by not talking to their suppliers to avail of the temporary Supply Suspension Scheme for companies impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.  The scheme was introduced in May to alleviate the pressures on SMEs by ensuring that they will have…

Construction activity contraction slows in May

Construction activity continued to fall sharply in May but at a softer pace than in April, the latest Ulster Bank Construction PMI survey shows today. The Purchasing Managers’ Index, which tracks changes in total construction activity, posted a reading of 19.9 in May. This was up from 4.5 in April as the construction sector opened up…