Author: Practicenet

The number of people signing on the live register has dropped to the lowest recorded since October 2008 – but concerns have been raised over the number of young people that are signed on long term. In June of this year, the number of people registered fell 1.8pc from the figure in May to 259,200, […]

MOTORISTS will end up being hit after the Government approved changes to the law on insurance to boost the size of a compensation fund. The decision by the Cabinet comes after a ruling in May by Supreme Court on which fund should cover the cost of claims associated with collapsed Setanta Insurance. Malta-registered Setanta collapsed […]

Retail Excellence has called for a VAT reduction of 3pc in next year’s budget to protect Ireland’s retailers from Brexit excesses. The Budget 2018 submission from the largest representative body in Ireland calls for a general cut in the cost of doing business, increased funding to get retailers online and increased infrastructural investment. ‘Retail: Sustaining […]

he Living Wage in Ireland has been increased to €11.70, a 20c increase for 2017. The updated amount has been driven by changes in the cost of living here and changes in the taxation system. According to the Living Wage technical group, who set the research-based figure, the current housing crisis and associated rent levels […]

The Irish grocery market grew at the fastest rate since January in the 12 weeks to June 18, as shoppers buying more offset the impact of deflation. SuperValu remains, just, in the top spot as the biggest grocery chain in terms of market share, according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel. Tesco is challenging […]

More than one in two small and medium enterprises (SMEs) say that they expect no impact from Brexit, according to the AIB SME Financial Services Monitor. The positive outlook continues for SMEs that trade internationally, with more than three quarters – 76pc – of those surveyed more optimist for the future of their business in […]

Irish manufacturing experienced the strongest pace of growth in 23 months in June, defying the effects of a weaker pound and out of step with struggling British factories. UK manufacturing missed out on a demand-driven surge in activity elsewhere in Asia and Europe in June, as weakness in sterling failed to translate into export growth, […]

Before buying a policy through a broker or intermediary, always make sure that they are registered. Consumers can check the regulatory status of the firm or individual by using the Central Bank website in the Registers section. Beware of buying policies through non-traditional sources, including social media accounts or pop-up offices. Look out for the […]

The controversial ‘Help-To-Buy’ scheme is helping drive the property market to heights not seen since the boom years. Asking prices for newly listed homes in Dublin have risen by €32,000 in the past six months – with house price inflation on course for double-digit growth in 2017. Nationally, prices also rose significantly – by €24,000 […]

The UK is the slowest-growing advanced economy on earth, official statistics confirmed on Friday. GDP grew at just 0.2pc in the first three months of the year; down from 0.7pc in the previous quarter, and confirming previous estimates, the UK Office for National Statistics reported. This means that the UK economy, which had held up […]