Author: splash

Rising energy prices push inflation to 20-year high

The annual rate of inflation rose to 5.3% in November, its highest level since June 2001. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show the biggest increases were in the cost of transport, electricity and gas bills. This period of intense inflation is not over yet, even if the pace of increase has slowed […]

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Report highlights ‘seismic’ potential of digital economy in Ireland

The digitisation of the Irish economy could potentially be worth around €300 billion in 2023, accounting for 65% of economic output. That is according to forecasts by Amárach and the International Data Corporation contained in a new report by Microsoft Ireland. The research, which was carried out with over 360 business decision makers and technology […]

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Virtual general meetings allowed to continue as Companies Act extended

The interim period of the Companies Act 2020 has been extended to the end of April next year following Government approval this week. The Act makes temporary amendments to the Companies Act 2014 and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 to address issues arising as a result of Covid-19. It ensures that 240,000 companies […]

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Govt to announce financial supports for businesses

The Government is expected to announce new financial supports for companies which have been negatively affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that the new scheme must be targetted at helping businesses in the hospitality, late night and live entertainment sectors. The latest Covid-19 restrictions came into force on Tuesday and […]

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New small company rescue process launches

The new dedicated rescue process for small companies, that makes restructuring faster, cheaper and more efficient, launches from today. Similar to examinership, the scheme is available to eligible to all small and micro businesses in the country. However, examinership was seen as too slow and cumbersome for many small firms, leading the Government to accede […]

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‘Exceptional growth’ in economy despite Covid – Ibec

Business representative group Ibec has said the economy is going through a period of “exceptional growth” despite Covid and that should allow the worst impacted sectors to be supported through the winter under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. In its latest Quarterly Economic Outlook, Ibec expects the economy to grow this year by 13% and […]

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Bord Bia: Food service sector won’t fully recover until 2023

The food service sector in Ireland will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 at the earliest, according to a new report by Bord Bia. While the value of the sector increased by 14.6% this year, the Irish food promotion board said it remains 41% lower than pre-pandemic turnover levels. Bord Bia said it expects […]

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Over 40% of first time buyers use gifts as part of deposit

Over 40% of first time buyers used gifts as part of their deposit in the first half of this year, according to new figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The latest housing market monitor shows that the median deposit for first time buyers was over €52,000 during that period. Meanwhile, the median deposit […]

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ESRI reports examine trade in services between Ireland, NI

Two new reports from the Economic and Social Research Institute examine the flow of trade in services between Ireland and Northern Ireland and the factors influencing foreign direct investment in both jurisdictions. These are the first two reports to be published by the ESRI as part of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative. It is part […]

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PUP to have five rates between €150 and €350 for new entrants

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will have five rates when it reopens to new entrants laid off as a result of the latest Government Covid-19 restrictions from tomorrow. The top rate will be €350 and will be available to those earning €400 or more a week. Those who received wages between €300 and €399 prior […]

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