Posts by sean

New figures from the latest AIB Purchasing Managers’ Index indicate that construction activity in Ireland declined again in November, marking the seventh consecutive month of contraction. The continued drop reflects persistent weakness in demand and a slowdown in new project inflows. The headline Construction Total Activity Index fell to 46.7 in November, down from 48.1…

Every December brings the same familiar pattern. Days grow darker, routines get busier, and spending climbs far faster than many households anticipate. Surveys indicate that Irish consumers spent close to €1,200 on average last Christmas, with a significant number dipping into savings or turning to borrowing to cover festive costs. The pressures of the season…

Ireland’s construction industry recorded another month of declining activity in November, marking the seventh consecutive month of contraction, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index from AIB. The data signals ongoing pressure across the sector, with firms reporting a continued drop in new orders and subdued demand for building projects. The headline Construction Total Activity…

A new assessment by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland indicates that recent policy changes have strengthened the financial viability of apartment construction. The study suggests that Government interventions introduced after a slowdown in apartment delivery have altered the economics of the sector in a noticeable way. Before any State assistance was applied, only two…

A new analysis from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has highlighted a notable weakening of competitive pressures across several key segments of the Irish services sector. The findings form part of the CCPC’s State of Competition in Ireland programme, which is reviewing developments in non-financial services over a fifteen-year period from 2008 to 2022.…

Ireland’s economic momentum has accelerated significantly this year, propelled largely by the extraordinary performance of the multinational sector. A combination of booming pharmaceutical activity, strong technology exports and robust domestic conditions has resulted in one of the strongest periods of growth the country has experienced in recent years. Pharmaceutical exports have been a standout factor.…

A new study from the Economic and Social Research Institute has found that living standards in the Republic of Ireland exceed those in Northern Ireland across several key economic and social indicators. The report shows a clear income gap. In 2022 the average household in the Republic had disposable income of €36,900, compared with €33,400…

New data from the Central Statistics Office indicates that Irish households continue to increase their use of online services, with internet banking reaching its highest level of adoption to date. The CSO’s latest Household Digital Consumer Behaviour report, covering the second quarter of the year, highlights a continued shift toward digital habits across nearly all…

A new survey from PwC suggests that although Irish workers are aware of the potential advantages of artificial intelligence, daily usage of these tools remains limited. The firm’s latest Workforce Hopes and Dreams report found that only 10 percent of employees in Ireland use generative AI each day, a lower proportion than the global average…

Inflation across the euro zone rose slightly in the latest figures, reinforcing expectations that the European Central Bank will maintain its current interest rate stance for the foreseeable future. New data from Eurostat shows annual inflation increasing to 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent, keeping it close to the ECB’s target for most of the year.…