Category: Syndicated

Big jump in cyber-attacks using stolen identities – IBM

There has been a 71% global spike in cyber-attacks involving stolen identities according to IBM. Its latest X-Force Threat Intelligence Index found there was a growing trend in 2023 of cyber-criminals logging into corporate networks using stolen credentials as opposed to hacking into systems. The report is based on insights and observations from monitoring over […]

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Credit Unions report mortgage lending up 15%

Mortgage lending at credit unions was up 15% in the last three months of the year, with the mortgage book now over €500m for the first time. The Irish League of Credit Unions represents 92% of the total active credit unions here. Its quarterly results show an overall increase in lending across all areas of […]

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Lower income households disproportionately hit by effects of indirect taxes

Lower income households are disproportionately hit by the effects of indirect taxes like VAT and carbon taxes when compared to those with higher incomes, a new analysis has found. The findings from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report show that on average Irish households pay €151 per week in indirect taxes. Overall, this amounts to […]

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Increase in SMEs’ interest in green supports – survey

A new report shows the level of small and medium-sized businesses who are interested in grants to help them invest in sustainable measures increased by over 40% in the past year. Uisce Éireann’s latest SME Sustainability Sentiment Survey also reveals that more than a third of SMEs see the availability of grants to offset the […]

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New online safety rules come into force across EU

The European Union’s new online safety rules come into full force today in Ireland and across the EU. The Digital Services Act requires online platforms to do more when it comes to removing harmful content and tackling the spread of disinformation. Companies face fines of up to 6% of global turnover for violating the rules […]

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Faulty goods, services cost nearly €1bn last year – CCPC

The cost to consumers in Ireland to deal with faulty goods and services last year was close to €1 billion, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The commission calculated the figure based on initial financial outlays by consumers, additional charges added on, and the inconvenience of resolving problems. The CCPC is charged […]

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European Commission cuts Irish growth forecasts to 1.2% from 3%

The European Commission has today revised down its expectations for the performance of the Irish economy in its Winter 2024 Economic Forecast, which was published today. The Commission said that Ireland’s GDP growth outlook for this year has been adjusted “substantially” lower to 1.2% from an estimate of 3% in its Autumn Forecast In 2025, […]

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Inflation slows to 4.1% in January from 4.6% in December – CSO

The annual rate of inflation fell to 4.1% in the 12 months to January from 4.6% in December, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show today. This marks the third consecutive month where the inflation rate was lower than 5%. The CSO figures also show that inflation – as measured by the Harmonised Index […]

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Ireland to assume new EU online safety powers from tomorrow

Ireland’s media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has said it is ready to assume new EU online safety powers from tomorrow. It has been tasked with enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA) in Ireland. All EU member states are required to have designated a ‘Digitial Services Coordinator’ by 17 February to implement the DSA in their […]

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ECB needs more data but inflation going in right direction – Lagarde

Euro zone economic data indicates that inflation is heading back towards target as earlier predicted but the European Central Bank still needs more information before it can be sure, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today. The ECB has kept interest rates unchanged at a record high since September and has been pushing back on rampant […]

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