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The Government has approved a draft bill aimed at improving family-friendly work practices and supporting women in the workforce. It is part of the Government’s plan to bring the EU’s work-life balance directive into Irish law. When the bill reaches committee stage in the Oireachtas, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman will introduce legislative provisions to…

Oil prices fell today amid recession fears and a stronger US dollar, though losses were capped by supply concerns after Moscow’s new mobilisation campaign in its war with Ukraine and an apparent deadlock in talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal. Brent crude futures fell 41 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.05 per barrel at 0325…

The Government is to introduce broad-based measures in next week’s Budget to help tens if not hundreds of thousands of businesses with their energy bills, the Tánaiste has said. Speaking at Ibec’s President’s dinner in Dublin tonight, Leo Varadkar said there would be a particular focus on helping those in retail, hospitality, manufacturing and other…

The organisation that represents the suppliers of the majority of medicines in Ireland has warned of an increasing risk of shortages due to the impact of inflation. Medicines for Ireland (MFI) said that there are currently 186 medicines listed as being in short supply by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. MFI said that without an…

The Tánaiste has said that farmers will be included in any scheme to reduce energy bills. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska in Co Laois, Leo Varadkar said there will be Government help with energy bills that will apply in a number of weeks. However he warned that there is only so much…

Consumer sentiment tumbled to levels last seen during the global finance crisis 14 years ago as concerns about the impact of sharply higher energy bills hammered the outlook for household finances, a survey showed today. Confidence has fallen in seven of the last eight months in line with inflation climbing to a near 40-year high.…

Oil prices ticked up today on supply concerns, but expectations of another aggressive US interest rate hike capped gains amid investor concerns it could lead to a recession and hurt fuel demand. Brent crude futures rose 11 cents, or 0.1%, to $90.73 a barrel in early trade after falling $1.38 the previous day. US West…

The State pension age will remain at 66 and people will be offered the choice to work until 70 in return for higher payments, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has confirmed. Long-term carers will also be provided with a pension for the first time. The Government has also committed to explore a new scheme…

More than three quarters of Irish people believe the energy crisis is harming the EU economy while nearly 60% of people say member states should be allowed to delay meeting their EU climate change targets in order to tackle the energy crisis. The findings are part of today’s Red C/European Movement Ireland opinion poll, which…

New research shows that significant gaps remain in Irish pension planning, with 38% of people surveyed having no pension in place. The research was carried out by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and comes during Pensions Awareness Week. When asked by the CCPC the reasons for not having a pension in place, 32%…