News

Claims on health insurance plans fall by almost a third

THERE has been a sharp drop in the number of claims made on health insurance plans due to the pandemic restrictions. The Covid-19 outbreak has also seen the number of people with private health cover rise to 2.3 million, which represents 46pc of the population. An additional 38,000 people took out a health insurance plan […]

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Progress made on internal bank culture but public trust levels remain low

There is ‘a very substantial number of customers’ who believe that banks handle their data securely, according to the chair of the Irish Banking Culture Board. The board launched the findings of two independent surveys of culture and trust levels in banks and the banking sector in Ireland. The survey of bank staff shows progress […]

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Majority of businesses stable or in growth mode – IntertradeIreland

Nearly two thirds of businesses surveyed by InterTrade Ireland said they are in stable or growth mode, in a further sign that recovery is taking hold. Optimism levels were higher in the Republic of Ireland than in Northern Ireland with 65% of businesses here describing themselves as stable or in growth, compared to 56% of […]

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Most businesses plan return of employees to workplaces within three months – Ibec

More than three quarters of businesses are planning to return employees to their workplaces within the next three months if Government guidelines allow, a new survey by the employer’s group Ibec has found. However, four out of every five respondent companies said they will operate a hybrid model of remote and onsite work to a […]

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NTMA raises €1.5bn as bond yields creep up again

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) successfully raised €1.5bn in an auction of benchmark Irish government bonds this morning. The three bonds, maturing in 2031, 2033 and 2050, were all sold with a positive yield, meaning the State will be paying it back with interest. The NTMA has now raised €12bn of its target of between […]

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Donohoe says more must be done to help first time buyers

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said he appreciates the urgency of Ireland’s housing situation, and he acknowledged that the Government must do more to alleviate the challenges faced by first time buyers. Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Paschal Donohoe said the Government is “absolutely aware and have been for some time of […]

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Consumer prices rise for first time since start of pandemic – CSO

The annual rate of consumer inflation rose by 1.1% in April, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. This marks the first positive annual rate since March of last year. The main factors behind the prices increases last month were higher energy and fuel prices. On an annual basis, petrol is up […]

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Talent exodus could cost business up to €1.2 billion

55% of employees are looking to change roles in either the next six or 12 months or once the economy has strengthened, new research from HR firm Personio shows. Personio has urged businesses to prioritise their people as the country emerges from the pandemic, or risk paying the price. Today’s research finds that while 60% […]

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NCPC urges businesses to maximise remote working benefits

Remote working has the potential to bring economic, social and environmental benefits – but some enterprises may struggle with additional costs, according to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council. In a new bulletin, the NCPC says enterprises could secure productivity and competitiveness benefits from remote working arrangements with a broader pool of talent, better retention […]

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House prices rose by fastest rate in two years in March – CSO

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show hous prices rose at their fastest rate in two years in March of this year. Rents are also increasing across the country. Property website, Daft.ie, found that listed monthly rents rose in the first three months of the year. Today’s CSO’s property price index shows that home […]

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