Archive for May 2023

New data from DoneDeal shows the average price of a brand new electric vehicle (EV) now stands at €64,755, 13% higher than the same time last year. Despite these price hikes, demand for new EVs has jumped 35% this year. The report states that the decision by the Government to reduce the EV grant from…

The European Central Bank is investigating introducing a digital currency, to keep pace with a rapidly evolving digital economy. It would be a major change in the way that the central bank issues money, but the ECB says it is considering the move in response to the increasing demand for safe and trusted electronic payments.…

Ireland’s credit rating has been upgraded by the ratings agency, Standard & Poor’s. Improved ratings by agencies such as S&P help Ireland borrow more easily and at lower rates on international debt markets. Last month, Ireland’s rating was also upgraded by another agency, Moody’s. This is the first upgrade from S&P since 2019 and brings…

Almost a quarter of Irish workers are fully remote, according to new research from Leitrim County Council. The study shows that 61% of millennials (25-35-year-olds) are considering a move to another part of Ireland. Over half of remote workers reported a very positive impact on their work-life balance and 85% of respondents said remote work…

Almost half of drivers would support the introduction of some sort of long-term motor insurance, a new survey has found. More than one in every four respondents said they would be interested in hearing more about the concept of car insurance that lasts for at least three years or more. A quarter of those who…

The number of new homes which construction started on fell 20% in April compared to the previous month, according to new data released by the Department of Housing. However despite this drop, the number of residential units commenced last month was up almost 10% on the same month last year. The number of residential commencements…

Two thirds of small and medium sized businesses do not believe that the Government understands them, new research has found. The study also shows that four out of every five businesses are currently impacted in a big of very big way by energy prices. The survey of 300 firms was carried out by RED Research…

Prices in the residential property market continued to cool in March, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The annual rate of residential property prices nationally slowed to 3.9% in March, compared to an annual rate of 5.1% in February. A year ago, in March 2022, prices were increasing at an annual…

With summer round the corner, thoughts of the two week vacation, parties, barbeques, open air concerts and fun are the order of the day. For many people, using a credit card to its limit or borrowing from a credit union or bank is now the norm for most families as we continue to be challenged…

Spending in hotels, pubs and restaurants increased last month, according to new debit and credit card data from AIB. The average daily spend in hotels jumped by 7% in April, while spend in pubs and off licenses was up 6%, and spend in restaurants increased by 4%. This boost across the hospitality sector is in…