Archive for July 2024

Over 100,000 rooftop solar microgenerators have now been connected to Ireland’s electricity network, according to ESB Networks, cumulatively adding over 400MW of clean energy onto the power system. ESB Networks said 20% of solar panel connections were delivered in the past six months, and it is continuing to progress applications at a rate of 750…

Euro zone bond yields edged higher after a sharp drop the previous day on the back of weaker-than-expected US inflation data. German 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for the euro zone bloc, rose 2 basis points (bps) to 2.493%, but was on track to end the week around 4 bps lower after dropping 7 bps…

A new resource to help businesses access a range of government supports called the National Enterprise Hub has been launched today by Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke. The Hub is described as a one-stop shop which brings together information and resources on over 180 supports from 19 Departments and state agencies. It will be staffed…

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has pointed to “many more challenges facing our economy,” along with “threats” and “vulnerabilities present in our public finances”. Following turbulence in recent years, he told the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight that the “economy has weathered these shocks remarkably well and now appears to have entered a period of…

The State’s fiscal watchdog has claimed that the Government is adopting an ‘everything now’ approach of current spending increases, tax cuts and increased investment for next year’s budget. Responding to the publication yesterday of the Summer Economic Statement, the Irish Fiscal Advisory (IFAC) also said that by breaking its own rule limiting spending increases to…

Year-on-year wage growth in Ireland was 4.3% in June, up slightly from the 4% to 4.1% range recorded since the start of this year, according to new research. The data is contained in the latest report in a wage growth series from jobs website Indeed.ie and the Central Bank of Ireland. It shows that despite…

Planned new laws aimed at ensuring enhanced benefits for those with a strong work history who become unemployed have passed through the Oireachtas. Under the new rules, the weekly rate of payment for people who have at least five years paid PRSI contributions will be set at 60% of previous earnings, subject to a maximum…

The Government is to make €8.3 billion in additional funding available for use in Budget 2025, its last before the next general election. €1.4bn of that money is to be spent on funding tax cuts and €6.9bn is to be used for increased expenditure. It means that total spending will rise by 6.9% in 2025,…

The Government will outline the size of the financial package for October’s budget later today, when it publishes the Summer Economic Statement. The document sets out the Government’s medium-term budgetary strategy and the fiscal parameters around which Budget 2025 discussions between ministers will take place. It will give details of the size of any overall…

The UK’s finance minister has announced that she will re-introduce mandatory housing targets. In her first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said that the new government will build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. Ms Reeves also announced plans to boost economic growth, adding that it was a national mission.…