Category: Syndicated

Dublin Port volumes down 15% in first quarter of 2021

Brexit trigged a major reduction in cargo volumes at Dublin Port in the first quarter of this year, while Covid-19 also hit passenger numbers. The Dublin Port Company said today that its trade volumes fell by 15.2% in the first three months of 2021. The main driver was a decline in freight from British ports, […]

Continue Reading

Home prices see annual increase of 3% in February – CSO

The price of residential property nationally rose by 3% in February, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. This compares to an increase of 2.6% in January and a 1% increase in the 12 months to February of last year. Prices were slower to rise in Dublin with an increase of 1.2%. […]

Continue Reading

NTMA raises €3.5 billion through sale of a 20-year bond

The National Treasury Management Agency has raised €3.5 billion through the sale of a new 20-year bond. The bond, which matures in April 2041, was sold at an interest rate of 0.585%. The NTMA said it received orders worth more than €35 billion as part of the sales process. It brings to €10.5 billion the […]

Continue Reading

Trade with UK declines again in February – CSO

Trade with Great Britain continued to decline in February, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. Imports of goods from Britain were down €742m, or 53%, in February compared to February last year. This was an easing on the 65% year-on-year fall in January when new post-Brexit trade barriers came into force. […]

Continue Reading

Low Pay Commission to investigate move to €12.30 per hour living wage

The Government has formally authorised the Low Pay Commission to investigate how Ireland can move towards a living wage, and must report in the second half of this year. Last year’s Programme for Government committed to move the wages floor from the current national minimum wage of €10.20 per hour to a living wage of […]

Continue Reading

Digital advertising spend up 8% last year to €726m

New figures show that digital advertising spend in the Irish market reached €726m last year, up 8% compared to 2019. The latest IAB PwC Online Adspend report shows that online display advertising grew 12% to €367m in 2020, with social and video the primary drivers. Search advertising grew by 5% to €321m. The figures show […]

Continue Reading

IMF predicts uneven European economic recovery

The International Monetary Fund has said Europe’s economy should rebound this year but recovery across the region remains uneven. The IMF is also calling for a “new social contract” to address inequality. In its Regional Economic Outlook for Europe published today, the IMF forecasts that growth this year will be 4.5%. This is slightly less […]

Continue Reading

4.5% growth in economy forecast despite Covid damage

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will publish the Stability Programme Update later today which will set out new deficit and growth targets for the economy. RTÉ News understands it will project growth of 4.5% in the economy this year, with a budget deficit equal to 4.7% of Gross Domestic Product, but much of this will […]

Continue Reading

Report suggests penalties for bogus self-employment

Penalties for employers who intentionally misclassify workers as self-employed, resulting in the loss of PRSI and employment rights entitlements, should be explored by the Department of Social Protection, according to a draft Oireachtas Committee report. The confidential report also recommends exclusion of such employers from government public procurement contracts, targeted inspections, and anti-victimisation legislation for […]

Continue Reading

Public finances show deficit of €18.4 billion for 2020

Provisional figures from the Central Statistics Office published today show the deficit in the public finances was €18.4 billion last year, which represented 5% of GDP. This is an improvement on the Budget Day forecast deficit of €21.6 billion. The national debt stood last year at €218.2 billion or 59.5% of GDP. This was up […]

Continue Reading