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IMF forecasts UK will miss out on global growth

A rising tide lifts most boats, according to the latest International Monetary Fund forecasts, which saw upgrades for almost every major economy except the UK. In an update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF lifted its global growth prediction to 3.9pc for both this year and next. That would be the strongest expansion since […]

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Ireland ranks eight of 29 economies for inclusiveness

Ireland has ranked eight out of the 29 advanced economies for inclusiveness, according to a report from the World Economic Forum (WEF). However the economic inclusion rate in Ireland has deteriorated. The report, which took into account the last five years, found that the 29 advanced economies included in the study have on average flatlined […]

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Second Brexit debate might sound different if held above the hum of European recovery

Following what could be termed by many as a lost decade in a debt-laden eurozone, the medicine administered by the European Central Bank (ECB) has dragged the eurozone back from the brink, and ensured a smooth shifting through the economic gears. From a fresh position of strength, we expect growth in the eurozone to hit […]

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Explainer: Income limits, maximum prices and interest rates; all you need to know about the new council mortgage scheme

Today the Government will unveil plans to enable local authority’s to provide mortgages to first-time buyers, but just who is entitled to apply and how much will be available? Who is entitled to apply for the local authority mortgages? First-time buyers that have had two insufficient offers or refusals for a mortgage from two lending […]

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Rise in interest rates could now be ‘beneficial’, says Fiscal Council chief

The European Central Bank’s tapering of its quantitative easing programme will not have a huge impact on the Irish economy, Fiscal Advisory Council chief Seamus Coffey has said. Despite the concerns of the Department of Finance and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Mr Coffey said a rise in interest rates could actually be […]

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Rise in interest rates could now be ‘beneficial’, says Fiscal Council chief

The European Central Bank’s tapering of its quantitative easing programme will not have a huge impact on the Irish economy, Fiscal Advisory Council chief Seamus Coffey has said. Despite the concerns of the Department of Finance and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Mr Coffey said a rise in interest rates could actually be […]

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Higher mortgage rates on the way but ‘increases will be gradual’

Borrowers have been warned that European interest rates are set to rise, but the increases will be gradual and it will be 2021 before they hit 1pc. This is good news for those on trackers, and people borrowing to buy homes now. European Central Bank rates are zero at the moment, but the ECB has […]

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Annual inflation 0.4pc higher due to charge increases

PRICES rose last month due to electricity suppliers and restaurants increasing their charges. Average prices were 0.4pc higher in December compared with the same month in the previous year. This was despite a slight fall in prices in the month of December, according to the Central Statistics Office. The annual rate of inflation rose due […]

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Wages to leap 15pc – but only if you’re in right type of job

The most highly sought professionals will pick up pay rises worth 15pc as the number of people at work pushes close to its pre-recession peak. Research reveals employees’ prospects are finally back on track with jobs and pay on the up following years of instability. There are now approximately 2.2 million people at work, close […]

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Google to tighten net traffic grip with Irish subsea cable

Google is seeking to increase its control on internet traffic with plans for three new subsea cables, one of which will stop off in Ireland. The web giant has the world’s largest physical network, accounting for up to 25pc of worldwide internet traffic. According to Google vice-president Ben Treynor Sloss, it has spent $30bn (€24.5bn) […]

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