Author: splash

The Minister for Finance has told the Dáil that he will oversee “a broad-ranging review” of the banking sector. Paschal Donohoe said the review will consider “possible gaps in terms of competition and consumer choice”, “assess the availability of credit to SMEs … and consider options to further develop the mortgage market.” It wil also […]

The chief executive of the employers’ group Ibec has warned that a lack of clarity on plans for a further reopening of the economy could materially impact the economic recovery. Danny McCoy also called for certainty for the hospitality sector and the broader business community. “We are very concerned for the many businesses and people […]

The Central Bank has upgraded its forecasts for growth in the economy in its latest quarterly bulletin. It has also said that any decision to permanently increase spending in upcoming budgets will have to balanced by new taxes or reduced spending in other areas. This, it says, will involve “trade offs” and choices as “structural […]

Homebuilder Cairn has reported revenues of €131m for the first half of this year after it closed 403 new home sales. In a trading update for the six months to the end of June, it said this compared to €81m from 207 closed sales the same time last year. Cairn Homes said that 16 active […]

The Government has approved measures which will see rent increases linked to general inflation and an extension of rent pressure zones to the end of 2024. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said the provisions will likely take effect by 19 July. The current cap of 4% on rent increases in Rent Pressure Zones will be […]

Representatives from the hospitality industry are due to hold talks with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin. The Hospitality Forum, which includes hotel, restaurant and licensed vintner groups, meets ministers every three or four months. Today’s long scheduled meeting is timely as it will be the first […]

The Government’s decision to delay the reopening of indoor hospitality has been met with an almost exclusively negative reaction from businesses and representative bodies. Today’s announcement did give some detail on what happens next for those affected – though it also left a number of questions unanswered. Here’s what businesses learned today: Indoor dining delay […]

The number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has fallen to 227,982, a decrease of 16,215 over the last seven days. The Department of Social Protection said the payments issued this week were valued at €67.2 million. Following today’s Government decision to defer the reopening of indoor hospitality, the Government has extended the deadline […]

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) deal that was signed off on by Agriculture Ministers across the EU is “a balanced CAP”. The Minister said it was the best agreement that could have been achieved after many months of really hard work and negotiation. Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, […]

New figures show the number of mortgages approved in May rose by 7.4% compared to the previous month, and were up almost 150% compared to the same time last year. Banking & Payments Federation Ireland said a total of 4,683 mortgages were approved last month. First-time buyers (FTBs) were approved for over half of the […]