News

The Government’s new Trade and Investment Strategy, entitled “Values for Ireland. Values for the World”, has been published today. Seven priority actions have been set out to grow trade with other countries between 2022 and 2026. The actions include enhancing Ireland’s “trade and investment ecosystem” and building on trade links around the world. A “whole […]

More than one-third of business leaders do not believe the Government’s proposed new Right to Request Remote Working Bill balances the rights and requirements of both employees and employers. However, 28% of business leaders do believe that it strikes the right balance. Of those who are unhappy with the proposed new legislation, 93% think the […]

A report by the Economic and Social Research Institute has found that Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) have been successful in limiting rent inflation. However, the report says it is not possible to completely separate the impact of broader economic conditions from rental price changes. The authors say that given the expected recovery in the Irish […]

Demand for land around the country brought significant price increases in 2021, according to a survey by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and food and agri-research body Teagasc. Co Kildare retained its position as having the most expensive land in the country up from €13,600 to €15,350 per acre, while the cheapest land […]

The three coalition party leaders have discussed plans to use domestic legislation to reduce the VAT rate on energy from 13.5% to 9%. The development would mean a €49 per annum reduction on the average gas bill and a cut of €61 annually on electricity prices. In a statement to RTÉ News, the Department of […]

More than half of would-be home-buyers say that the rising cost of living is having a negative impact on their plans to purchase a property. A new survey by property listing site MyHome.ie found that 52% of respondents said inflation was affecting their ability to purchase. Consumer prices rose by 6.7% in the year to […]

Growth in the Irish construction sector slowed in the first quarter of the year, according to the BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index. It shows that activity, new orders and employment all rose at slower rates, while business confidence dropped sharply. It comes amid near-record increases in input costs, with more than […]

Prices have been rising at their fastest pace in decades, but it’s not that anyone needs reminding. According to the latest figures form the CSO published this week, inflation hit a 22 year high of 6.7% in March. The ESRI and the Central Bank both expect the annual rate of price increases to peak at […]

One third of hybrid workers struggle to disconnect and one quarter feel demotivated or uninspired, according to new research from Microsoft Ireland. The ‘Work Trends Index’ also reveals that almost a quarter of hybrid workers feel removed from the company culture and senior leadership. A total of 44% of workers agreed it was harder to […]

The Government has yet to receive an indication from the European Commission that it will give Ireland and other countries flexibility to reduce VAT on energy. The Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe have held discussions over recent weeks with the Commission but it is understood a reduction in VAT may not […]