Author: Practicenet

The number of professional job vacancies in Ireland rose by 9pc month-on-month in October, in what was a record month in terms of jobs announcements, a new study has found. However, the number of professional job vacancies dropped by 2pc in October compared to the same month in 2016, according to the Morgan McKinley Ireland […]

With rents above boom-time levels, and prices quickly playing catch-up, housing affordability has become a real issue over recent years. But is it more difficult for a young couple today to buy a home, compared with their parents’ generation? A useful paper from the Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) suggests it is. Using data on […]

Just over 450 new homes are being sold every month as the lack of supply fuels price hikes. An analysis of figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that since the beginning of 2015, just over 15,000 new homes have traded hands – despite Department of Housing new-home completion figures suggesting the number should […]

Public servants are escaping new pension rules that delay the payment of the State pension. The State contributory pension is now only paid from the age of 66, meaning that thousands of people who are compelled to leave work at the age of 65 have to claim Jobseekers’ Benefit – getting almost €50 a week […]

Spending on household goods is up 12.7pc this year, as people’s disposable income continues to rise. The volume of retail sales, which represents real growth, has grown rapidly since 2014, and is now well ahead of the last peak in 2007, according to the findings of the latest Consumer Market Monitor (CMM). However, while the […]

Q I run a beauty salon in a small regional town. We are not great at marketing and our sales can only be described as modest. Are there any tips you could give us? You are correct to link your lack of marketing and the sales performance. In my experience, businesses that trade well are […]

While certain sectors of business have been radically altered over time, others have changed mostly in how they are conducted. For many years Michael Gilmartin and his partner supplied everything a law firm or barrister would need to run their business. Their two shops – one in Cork and one in Dublin – had everything […]

The establishment of a major food industry hub in the Boyne Valley region is set to create 2,500 jobs by 2025, the Sunday Independent has learned. The Boyne Valley Food Innovation District (BVFID) – which has a multi-disciplinary advisory board with key industry figures such as Bord Bia chairman Michael Carey and former Largo foods […]

An Irish EdTech firm has secured over €100,000 in funding to launch a new project which will investigate how virtual reality (VR) technology impacts children’s health. Enterprise Ireland high-potential start-up (HPSU) Zeeko business model is to promote a healthy balance for children using screen devices and the internet, by working with parents and children themselves. […]