News

Euro zone inflation drops to 8.5% in January from 9.2% in December

Inflation in the euro area fell to an annual rate of 8.5% in January from 9.2% in December, according to an initial estimate from Eurostat. Energy inflation fell to an annual rate of 17.2% from 25.5% in December. But food inflation increased from 13.8% to 14.1%. Core inflation, which strips out the effect of food […]

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Hairdressers warn salons at risk if VAT rate rises

The Irish Hairdressers Federation has called for the retention of the 9% VAT rate for the sector ahead of its planned rise in the coming weeks. The rate is due to increase to 13.5% on 1 March. The federation said hair salons have seen their costs rise dramatically in the past year and the VAT […]

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Irish economy grows three times faster than euro zone average in 2022

The EU’s statistical agency, Eurostat, has estimated that the euro area economy, measured by GDP, grew by 0.1% in the last three months of last year compared to the previous three months. Across 2022, Eurostat estimates that the euro area economy grew by 3.5% of GDP. Ireland’s economy, boosted by the performance of multinationals, grew […]

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Annual rate of inflation slows to 7.7%, CSO estimates

The annual rate of inflation slowed to 7.7% in January, according to an initial estimate by the Central Statistics Office. This compares to an annual rate of 8.2% in December. This measure of inflation is the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which allows for comparisons across the EU. Eurostat’s estimate of inflation across EU […]

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RTB pausing and refunding late fees to landlords

The Residential Tenancies Board is applying a temporary pause on the charging of late fees in recognition of “the genuine difficulties” experienced by landlords who have been trying to register tenancies. It is also in the process of refunding landlords who were charged late fees between August and November last year, with over 80% of […]

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70% of consumers considering buying an electric vehicle

70% of consumers in Ireland are considering an electric vehicle as their next car purchase, a new survey by DoneDeal shows. The figures show that demand on the website for new and used electric vehicles grew by 33% last year, while demand for diesel cars fell 39% during the same period. For the first time […]

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Rent tax credit adds to volume of calls to Revenue

Revenue is experiencing a higher volume of calls due to tenants enquiring about the new rent tax credit. The measure, introduced in Budget 2023, allows tenants paying rent on private rental accommodation to claim a €500 rent tax credit. The credit is for 2022 so when a renter claims it, it will result in a […]

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More interest rate hikes in prospect? Almost certainly

After six years of interest rates sitting at rock bottom, it came as a bit of a jolt when the European Central Bank started raising rates last summer. And the regulator certainly hit the ground running with a full half a percentage point increase to its key rates in July on what was its first […]

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2023 travel trends: Cruises, safaris and budget trips

From cruising around the Mediterranean, to backpacking across South America, international travel is set to return full force this year. ‘Revenge travel’ is a phrase being used to describe the desire to travel that emerged last year, as people took to the skies, seas and roads to make up for the trips they missed due […]

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Businesses urged to avail of energy bill aid scheme

Businesses are being urged to claim for State help with energy bills as new figures show there has been a low take-up so far of a Government scheme. The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) provides qualifying businesses with up to 40% of the increase in electricity or gas bills up to €10,000 per month […]

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