The number of cars on Irish roads has hit pre-pandemic levels, but there are fewer people travelling on public transport. This comes as ESRI behavioural research shows that while public levels of worry over contracting Covid-19 are decreasing, people consider public transport as a “high risk” activity when it comes to catching the virus. Data…
Tag Archives: COVID19
New figures show that spending in pubs and bars more than tripled on the day Covid-19 restrictions on socialising were eased. The latest Revolut Spending Report shows that the amount of money spent in bars was 212% higher on January 22 than it had been the day before, when the 8pm curfew was still in…
The Government faces a difficult decision on how to tackle the rising cost of living for poorer families while balancing environmental considerations, according to Professor of Economics at University of Limerick, Stephen Kinsella. High inflation is being driven by rising energy costs, and should the Government choose to subsidise fuel, it will have a negative…
Growth in the country’s service sector picked up in January as some firms reported a pick-up in trading conditions and consumer confidence following the lifting of almost all Covid-19 restrictions, a survey found today. The AIB IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) moved up to 56.2 in January from 55.4 in December. The rate of…
New guidance for workplaces has been published to reflect the recent relaxation of most public health measures. The Transitional Protocol eases many requirements on businesses but says good practices should be maintained. It is ten days since the Government announced the relaxation of most public health measures, and following engagement with business and unions it…
Consumer sentiment in January recovered much of the loss it suffered in December in the face of a surge in the highly contagious Omicron variant, a survey showed today, with a further improvement expected next month. The KBC Bank Ireland consumer sentiment index climbed to 81.9 in January from 74.9 in December, falling short of…
The euro zone economic recovery weakened further this month as renewed restrictions imposed to contain the Omicron coronavirus variant put another dent in bloc’s dominant services activity and as prices continued to soar. With the variant sweeping across Europe governments have been encouraging citizens to stay home and avoid socialising or meeting in groups. IHS…
Employers can start bringing staff back into the workplace from today onwards, following the announcement of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions on Friday. However, unions have urged businesses to exercise caution and consult with staff as the process begins. Announcing the changes on Friday, the Taoiseach said the return to physical attendance in workplaces should…
The three Coalition leaders will meet this morning at Government Buildings to consider recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team on the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, in advance of a full Cabinet meeting at 3pm. NPHET has given the green light to ending most of the restrictions and, because it did not specify any…
The Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme for small and medium businesses has been extended the end of June, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said today. Low-cost loans will continue to be available to Irish SMEs through a wide range of lenders including three banks, six non-bank finance providers and 19…