Author: Practicenet

Euro zone Q1 economic growth stronger than expected, unemployment falls

Euro zone Q1 economic growth stronger than expected, unemployment falls The euro zone economy grew more than expected in the first quarter, rebounding from a slump in the second half of 2018, new data showed today. Meanwhile, unemployment in the euro zone fell to its lowest in more than a decade, the data also revealed. […]

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Unemployment rate remains at 5.4% in April – CSO

Unemployment rate remains at 5.4% in April – CSO New Central Statistics Office figures show that the country’s unemployment rate remained at an 11-year low of 5.4% in April. The CSO said the seasonally adjusted number of people who were without a job stood at 129,700 in April, a decrease of 10,200 when compared to […]

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High housing costs key driver of wage demands, conference told

High housing costs key driver of wage demands, conference told HIGH rents and housing costs are driving wage demands that have become the biggest single challenge facing businesses, according to Kevin Sheridan, managing director of Sheridan Cheesemongers. “Rising wages puts pressure on staff numbers and has a ripple effect through the business – I think […]

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Insurance revamp calls intensify as play centres saved by UK deal

THE Government has been urged not to ease up on insurance reform after 1,000 jobs were saved when play centres secured insurance cover. Some 61 play centres were threatened with closure over difficulties getting insurance. The Alliance for Insurance Reform said there was still a need for major changes in the insurance and legal sectors. […]

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Self-employed people to qualify for extra jobseeker’s payments under new initiative

Self-employed people to qualify for extra jobseeker’s payments under new initiative Self-employed people will become eligible to claim a jobseeker’s welfare payment from November, based on their social insurance contributions. Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty has said the initiative will provide an income safety net to thousands of small and medium […]

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US watchdog swoops on $55bn oil merger

US watchdog swoops on $55bn oil merger The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday obtained an asset freeze in connection with suspected fraudulent trading in Anadarko Petroleum Corp before the oil company agreed to be acquired by rival Chevron. US District Judge Gregory Woods in Manhattan granted the freeze over accounts linked to suspicious […]

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Self-employed to qualify for welfare pay of €203 a week

Self-employed to qualify for welfare pay of €203 a week Self-employed workers will be entitled to weekly jobseeker payments if they become unemployed from November. The new social insurance benefit scheme, announced today, aims to provide assurance to people setting up or running their own business. Up to €203 will be provided for nine months […]

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Decrease in number of workers earning minimum wage or less

Decrease in number of workers earning minimum wage or less There was a 9% decrease in the number of workers earning the minimum wage or less in the last three months of 2018 compared to the previous year, according to CSO figures. 7.6% of employees earned the minimum wage or less in Q4 of 2018, […]

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Govt launches plan to boost financial services sector

Govt launches plan to boost financial services sector The Government hopes to increase direct employment in the financial services sector to 50,000 by 2025, according to a new strategy launched this morning. The ‘Ireland for Finance’ plan is the latest Government initiative targetting the international financial services sector. There were 44,000 people directly employed in […]

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Mortgage approvals soar but would-be buyers wait on supply

Mortgage approvals soar but would-be buyers wait on supply NEW figures show the scale of pent-up demand among would-be home buyers with approvals running well ahead of mortgage drawdowns. Figures from the Banking and Payments Federation, which represents lenders, show that 8,577 new mortgages to the value of €1.884bn were drawn down by borrowers during […]

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