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Age Friendly: Why companies should value older customers
Around 800,000 people over the age of 65 are currently living and shopping in Ireland, but do companies really value their business? This age group is the wealthiest in the country, with the customer base set to grow to a massive 1.6 million by 2051. We’ve been finding out what it means to be an…
Read MoreOptimism among businesses, with 55% on ‘stable footing’
Over half of businesses are on a “stable footing”, according to new research by InterTradeIreland. Its latest all-island business monitor suggests that 2023 is off to a smoother start for many companies. 36% of businesses said they have reported growth in the first three months of the year, while a third of businesses said they…
Read MorePressure likely to mount on banks to hike deposit rates
Banks are likely to come under pressure in the months ahead to offer better rates to customers putting money on deposit, according to one treasury specialist. The ECB has hiked interest rates by 3.75 percentage points since July of last year. While the main banks have not passed on the full extent of the rate…
Read MoreMcGrath to bring plan to Cabinet over corporation tax windfall surplus
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said he is planning to bring a proposal to Cabinet on how Ireland should deal with the large corporation tax windfall surpluses forecast to flow into the State. Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time last night, he said there was a surplus last year of around €8 billion, and the…
Read MoreFinance union calls for regulations for surveillance of staff
The Financial Services Union (FSU) will today urge TDs and senators to consider new regulations and legislation to cover the technological surveillance of staff by their employers. In an address to the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the FSU will highlight the findings of a recent survey of its members which showed that…
Read MoreHome prices rose faster than mortgage values in second half of last year
The increase in median mortgage values was slower between 2020 and 2022 than the rise recorded in property prices over the same period, new data shows. According to the figures compiled by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), while the median value of properties purchased by first time buyers rose by €35,000 over the…
Read MoreConsumers more frugal due to rising costs – global survey
A new survey of global consumer sentiment shows people everywhere adjusting to higher living costs by taking action regarding their spending behaviour. The 12th EY Future Consumer Index is based on the views of 21,000 people across 27 countries and finds consumers are taking action to reduce spending in their lives. 94% of respondents globally…
Read MoreWholesale electricity prices down over 40% in April
Prices paid for raw materials by manufacturers fell in April for the first time since November 2021, new Central Statistics Office figures show today. The Wholesale Price Index fell by 1% compared to March and by 0.7% compared to April 2022. Producer prices for exported goods fell by 1% in the month and are down…
Read MoreNew electric vehicles 13% more expensive than last year
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…
Read MoreAlmost a quarter of Irish workers are fully remote – survey
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…
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