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Publicans call for indoor opening ‘no later’ than July 1

Publicans have called for indoor trading to resume no later than Thursday July 1. The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said that after “sacrificing” their businesses for over 15 months, now is the time for Government to confirm that pubs can fully reopen by the first week in July in time for the traditional start of […]

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What will be the result of the global remote work experiment?

A pioneer of remote work, IBM installed remote terminals in employees’ homes as early as the 1980s, and by 2009, when the idea of remote work was still a novelty for most, 40% of IBM’s global workforce worked at home. The technology company saved about $100 million in the US annually as a result of […]

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Consumer confidence hits 23-month high, as optimism builds

Consumer confidence hit a 23-month high this month, according to KBC Bank Ireland’s latest consumer sentiment index. The index rose to 85.8 in May from 77.9 in April, as the Covid-19 virus incidence declined and the vaccination rollout picked up pace. It now stands at its strongest level since June 2019, when it was at […]

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Tax increases needed to fund public services – ESRI

The Economic and Social Research Institute has said “sizeable tax increases in the years ahead” will be needed to fund public services. In a paper published today, the think-tank said an over-reliance on corporate tax receipts and changes to motor tax means alternative sources of revenue will have to be found. Even before the pandemic, […]

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Euro zone economy not near ‘super bounce back’ – Lane

The chief economist of the European Central Bank Philip Lane has said he does not believe economies are “entering some new inflationary environment”. He said there is “zero connection between spikes in prices in the reopening of the world economy and inflation trends.” Professor Philip Lane was speaking at an online event hosted by the […]

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Firms pledge to improve diversity, inclusivity in workplace

New research has found that a person with a disability is four and-a-half times more likely to be unemployed than those in the general population. The study also shows that a black person is six times more likely to be without a job. This rises to 13 times amongst Travellers. The research, which aims to […]

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Firms pledge to improve diversity, inclusivity in workplace

New research has found that a person with a disability is four and-a-half times more likely to be unemployed than those in the general population. The study also shows that a black person is six times more likely to be without a job. This rises to 13 times amongst Travellers. The research, which aims to […]

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Prospective buyers unhappy over omission of apartments from scheme

Demand is high and supply remains low. That’s the stark reality of the country’s housing market. The Government hopes its proposal to introduce a stamp duty charge of 10% on the purchase of ten or more houses will free up some of that limited supply. But the big question is will it work? Joanne Hogan […]

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Personal injury reforms to ‘positively’ impact premiums – Zurich CEO

New personal injury guidelines for the insurance industry will “positively” impact premiums, according to the CEO of Zurich Ireland. Anthony Brennan said in the coming weeks, the company will implement changes to customers premiums to reflect the impact of the reforms. Mr Brennan was addressing the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, which today […]

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Donohoe defends 10% stamp duty proposal on bulk buying

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has defended the decision to exempt apartments from the Government’s proposal to introduce a stamp duty charge of 10% on the purchase of ten or more houses. He said the reason it is a house-focused measure is because he is “genuinely convinced” that if apartments were brought into the scheme, […]

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