Author: Practicenet

Q Having worked for 15 years for an employer, I am now starting my own business. I am being encouraged to do a startup course, which I feel is unnecessary after my years in business. What do you think? A You are being given good advice. Most of these courses are run by your Local […]

Traditionally male-orientated jobs are most likely to be impacted by advances in technology, according to a leading academic. As further advances in robots or artificial intelligence (AI) are developed, Professor Brian Fitzgerald, director of Lero, the SFI Irish Software Research Centre, told the Irish Independent that jobs that involve “mundane” tasks will be most affected. […]

Tariffs, currency fluctuations and corporation tax were among the concerns raised by more than 230 small business owners and interest group representatives at a Brexit event yesterday. The event held in Loughrea, Co Galway, and organised by Supermac’s, was addressed by RTE Europe editor Tony Connelly, and Farmers Association president Joe Healy. Among the concerns […]

Public sector workers will benefit from changes to austerity-era cost-cutting measures as pay rises are on the way. Pay hikes worth €3,300 are on the way for more than 60,000 workers – but it may not be enough to avoid strikes. Here’s everything you need to know. What is the problem with recruits’ pay? The […]

Tax advisers have written to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe claiming tax law is in need of “urgent reform” in order to support the SME sector through Brexit. Umbrella group the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies – Ireland (CCAB-I) highlighted how changes to the Employment Investment and Incentive (EII) scheme have had “a substantially negative impact […]

The Central Bank has been producing data that “grossly” overstates mortgage arrears, calling into question a raft of home repossessions. Statisticians in the bank have admitted there is a problem, and are set to change how they calculate missed payments. They have been accused of producing “grossly exaggerated” mortgage arrears figures. It means that the […]

More than 150 credit unions have to carry out an expensive trawl of their loan books after it emerged thousands of members have been overcharged on loans. The overcharging amounts are small, but the Central Bank has ordered credit unions to provide information on how they deal with accrued interest on top-up loans. Average overcharged […]

Increasing numbers of female construction workers is key to solving Ireland’s housing and infrastructure crises. This is according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). Ahead of the launch of its first ‘Diversity and Inclusion Guidance’ document for the construction sector, aimed at addressing gender imbalance in the industry, key construction leaders said that more female […]

Britain will leave the European Union without a deal unless the bloc’s leaders soften their position on the Irish border, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC. EU leaders abruptly cautioned May on Thursday that unless she gave ground on trade and the Irish border by November they are ready to cope with Britain crashing […]

Apple says that it’s the most powerful iPhone ever. But with its new 6.5-inch display, it looks like nothing can stop the iPhone Xs Max from becoming even more of a substitute for your television and your camera. There are three main takeaways I’m left with after my first week with the iPhone Xs and […]