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Consumer sentiment dropped sharply in January as the number of Covid-19 cases surged following the Christmas period, a survey found today.  The KBC Bank Ireland consumer sentiment index dropped to 64.9 in January from a nine-month high of 74.6 in December.  That compares with the 2020 average of 65 and a pandemic low of 42.6…

Thousands of employees could face dismissal or problems in being hired if they refuse to be vaccinated, according to research by human resources technology firm HRLocker. The survey of 750 senior corporate executives based in Ireland and the UK reveals that 40% of respondents would be prepared to dismiss an employee who refused to get vaccinated without a…

A couple earning average wages still cannot afford even the cheapest new apartments in Dublin, according to a study. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) also found most types of apartments are not economically viable for developers to build for sale. The society’s report found that the situation has improved since its previous study…

The quantity of goods passing through Irish ports from the UK remains around half of what it was this time last year, nearly four weeks after the Brexit transition period came to an end.  At a briefing at Dublin Port this afternoon, officials from a range of state departments and agencies said volumes remained below…

The Minister for Finance has said there will be no sudden withdrawal of the fiscal stimulus measures put in place across Europe to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. Addressing the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs in his role as President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe said it is important that finance ministers…

A multi-millionaire Australian property mogul controversially suggested a few years ago that if young people wanted to buy a house, they should stop buying avocado toast and expensive coffee. “When I was trying to buy my first home, I wasn’t buying smashed avocado for AU$19 (€12) and four coffees at AU$4 (€2.55) each,” Tim Gurner,…

The unleashing of €13 billion in household savings and significant pent-up demand will lead to a surge in consumer spending that will fuel a 5% growth in core domestic demand this year, new research from stockbroker Goodbody says. In his latest economic forecast, chief economist Dermot O’Leary predicts that domestic demand will fall between January and…

The interest rates on several State savings schemes are to be reduced, the National Treasury Management Agency has announced. The changes will also impact the prize bond fund, which has been growing in popularity. Under the changes, the prize fund allocated to the bonds is to be cut, which will reduce the amount of prize…

The Central Bank has forecast that growth in the economy will pick up in the second half of this year, if there is a successful roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. It also warns, however, that despite the trade deal struck between the EU and the UK, barriers to trade and the movement of people…

Salaries for in-demand and emerging niche skill sets will increase by up to 5% this year, according to the Morgan McKinley Irish Salary Guide. The new guide shows that most salaries are likely to remain flat throughout 2021. Overall, in 2020, the market for professional talent was split 45% permanent and 55% temporary. According to Morgan McKinley, this…