Author: Practicenet

Wage disputes in the public sector threaten to drive up costs across the economy, according to the ESRI think-tank. A report published today also says there is little clarity on the difference between public and private sector remuneration. In its quarterly economic commentary, the ESRI warns we must “generate a reliable estimate of the public-private […]

The Central Bank expects UK financial services firms affected by Brexit to make a decision on relocating here or elsewhere in the EU in the first half of 2017. At a press briefing to launch its latest macrofinancial review, Ed Sibley, director of credit institutions, said firms had visited Ireland on fact-finding missions but he […]

The dollar climbed to the highest level since 2003 against the euro and gold plunged as the prospect of a steeper path for US interest rates filtered through markets. US stocks fluctuated after the worst day in two months. The dollar extended its advance against major and emerging-market peers after the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate […]

ONE of the biggest savings for households can be made by switching a mortgage to another provider. This does not apply to those on tracker mortgages, which are ultra cheap. For those on variable rates the savings can amount to thousands of euro a year – over the lifetime of a mortgage, savings as high […]

In-demand locations will be subject to rent caps under plans to be announced today, the Irish Independent can reveal. Housing Minister Simon Coveney is to introduce ‘rent pressure zones’ in an attempt to stall the spiralling costs in Dublin and Cork. Latest figures show prices in the capital have jumped by as much as 40pc […]

Companies in Ireland can unlock huge revenue potentials and establish the country as a digital powerhouse on the global stage. But only if leaders are more proactive in making the decision to go ‘digital first’. With European headquarters for Google, Facebook, Paypal, Microsoft, Yahoo and Apple in Dublin and Cork, digital is here. The value […]

Irish construction firms are taking on extra staff, pushing the sharpest rise in employment since February, according to Ulster Bank’s latest Construction PMI. Construction firms continued to record strong growth of activity last month, supported by a further sharp increase in new orders. Simon Barry, chief economist (RoI) at Ulster Bank, said whilst details across […]

The European Union will take action against seven nations including Germany and Britain for failing to police car emissions rules, EU sources have said. It comes after the Volkswagen cheating scandal highlighted suspicious behaviour in the industry. Amid frustration in Brussels over nations’ responses to diesel vehicles flouting pollution limits, the European Commission is resorting […]

With less than two shopping weeks to Christmas, those leaving it late are in danger of being ripped off in the dash to buy gifts. “Traders can make a lot of their money on last-minute shoppers because the person is trying to get something as quickly as they can,” said Fergal O’Leary, member of the […]

More people are taking out loans with credit unions, while there has been a rise in the amount of money saved with the member-owned institutions. The rise in lending comes after loan books shrunk during the worst of the downturn. Lending is seen as a key measure of the financial health of the sector, as […]