Posts by sean

High cost credit remains a significant concern for households across Ireland, despite legislative efforts to limit its most extreme impacts. The Consumer Credit Amendment Act 2022 introduced a cap on interest rates charged by moneylenders, limiting simple interest to 1 percent per week, with a maximum annual charge of 48 percent. When expressed as an…

Fully electric vehicles outsold petrol cars in the European Union for the first time in December, marking a significant shift in the region’s car market, according to new figures released by the European automotive industry. Data from European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association shows that battery electric vehicles moved ahead of petrol-powered cars during the month, even…

Around one in ten job advertisements in Ireland now reference artificial intelligence, according to new research from Indeed. The findings place Ireland ahead of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, underlining the scale and influence of the technology sector within the Irish economy. While AI references remain most common in technology-related roles,…

Bank of Ireland has trimmed its forecast for economic growth in 2026, pointing to a slightly slower pace of expansion than previously expected. In its latest economic outlook, the bank now expects Gross Domestic Product to increase by 2.8% this year, compared with an earlier projection of 3.1%. GDP figures capture activity from multinational firms…

Companies supported by Enterprise Ireland recorded a net increase of 2,938 jobs last year, bringing total employment across its client base to 232,425, according to the agency’s latest annual report. The figures show that employment growth remained broadly regional, with 69% of new roles created in 2025 located outside the Dublin region. All nine regions…

Gold climbed to a new all-time high above $5,100 an ounce, extending a powerful rally as investors moved funds into assets seen as a store of value amid growing geopolitical unease. Spot gold rose by over 2% in early trading, reaching $5,110.50 at its peak before easing slightly. US gold futures followed a similar path,…

Few workplace ideas have gained as much traction as the notion of generational difference. Baby Boomers are often portrayed as loyal and hierarchical, Millennials as purpose-driven, and Gen Z as seeking flexibility and constant feedback. In sectors under pressure, particularly healthcare, these labels have become shorthand explanations for disengagement and high staff turnover. Managers are…

Solar energy plays a central role in the transition to low-carbon power, yet an emerging issue is attracting increasing attention. As early generations of solar panels approach the end of their working lives, concerns are mounting about how they are handled once they are removed from service. Globally, it is estimated that up to 250…

New data from the Central Statistics Office indicates that wholesale electricity prices continued to trend downward at the end of last year, offering some relief after several years of volatility in energy markets. According to the latest figures, wholesale electricity prices fell by 11.7% in December compared with the previous month. On an annual basis,…

New research from IrishJobs indicates that professionals working in IT and finance continued to command the strongest earning power in Ireland during 2025, with both sectors recording the highest median advertised salaries across the labour market. According to the data, advertised roles in technology and finance carried a median salary of €80,000 last year. Construction…