Author: splash

Mortgage switching down almost 80% on last year

There was a huge drop in the number of people switching their mortgages in August compared to the same time last year, new figures show. The latest report from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland reveals an almost 80% drop in switching and remortgage activity. Just over 300 mortgages were approved for this group in August, […]

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Corporation tax growth levelling off – McGrath

The Minister for Finance has said there appears to be a “levelling-off” of the growth in corporation tax compared to the extraordinary levels in recent years. Michael McGrath made his remarks in his opening address to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight. His colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform, […]

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Banks defend interest rate policies at committee

Representatives of the country’s main banks have defended their policies around the passing on of interest rate increases to customers when they appear before an Oireachtas committee later. In opening statements delivered at the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) claimed banks have taken a balanced […]

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Competitiveness Council urges action to meet new economic challenges

The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council has published its annual Challenge Report, which outlines some of the key issues facing the economy. Chair of the Council Dr Frances Ruane said “failure to develop and implement appropriate policies now to address new developments, including decarbonisation and tipping points in digital technologies, could leave Ireland in a […]

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Rise in number of electricity, gas customers in arrears

There has been a notable increase in the number of domestic electricity customers falling into arrears since the end of the Government’s Emergency Electricity Credit in March, according to an updated report from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The numbers of domestic gas customers falling into arrears has also been rising. Disconnections for […]

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Living wage should rise to €14.80 per hour – technical group

The reference hourly living wage rate should rise to €14.80 per hour, according to the Living Wage Technical Group (LWTG). This is an increase of 6.9%, or €0.95, compared to the previous reference rate of €13.85 per hour. The living wage is seen as the minimum rate required for a full-time worker to afford the […]

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Competition authorities given new powers to fine companies up to €10m

From today, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) will be able to fine companies for breaching Irish and EU competition law. The new powers come as the Competition Act 2022 takes effect. The main purpose of the Act is to implement an EU directive which is designed to ensure that national competition authorities across […]

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UN charter aims to promote gender equality in sustainable finance

A new United Nations charter aimed at promoting gender equality in the area of sustainable finance is being launched in Dublin this morning. The Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S) network has outlined ten objectives which involve the signatories bringing gender considerations into their decision-making, strategies, and operations over the next year. 21 financial networks across […]

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Irish stock market departures are symptom of wider EU malaise

Irish people have a rich history of looking to the US for a better life. That appears to be the thinking of Dublin-listed paper packaging company, Smurfit Kappa, which is joining a growing number of large Irish firms eyeing share trading in the US. But far from just being just a problem for tiny Ireland, […]

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Semi-states and public bodies most attractive employers – survey

Irish semi-state and public bodies are the most attractive employers for professionals working in Ireland, according to new research from Universum, which is part of IrishJobs. The Most Attractive Employers Index Ireland 2023 reveals shifts in the most desired employers for professionals across Ireland, with well-established semi-states and public sector organisations becoming more popular, and […]

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