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The number of people in employment during the third quarter of this year stood at 2,295,200, according to the latest Labour Force Survey published by the Central Statistics Office.  This gives an employment rate of 67.7% and represents an annual decrease of 31,700. When adjusted for Covid-19, the number in employment at the end of…

European Union diplomats have warned Britain that time was fast running out for a Brexit deal, and that it may already be too late to ratify one, as negotiators in Brussels began a last-ditch attempt to avoid a tumultuous exit at the end of December. EU and UK officials resumed intensive negotiations in Brussels this morning…

The Central Bank has warned lenders that it expects them to clearly communicate with customers at all stages of the mortgage application process, including customers who have already received loan offers. In a letter to the CEOs of the lenders, the bank said they must make clear to customers that where there has been any…

Eligible businesses can claim cash payments under the Government’s Covid Restrictions Support Scheme from today. The scheme is designed to assist firms which have had to close or have seen trading greatly reduced due to the introduction of Level 3 or higher Government restrictions to counteract the spread of Covid-19. So far around 9,500 businesses…

Proposed changes to a VAT refund scheme, availed of by non-EU residents who purchase craft and gift items here, will impact jobs, tourism and the retail sector, a report published today concludes. The study was conducted by economist Jim Power on behalf of the ‘Stop Another Tourism Tax’ Campaign – an alliance of independent Irish…

Two in every five jobs here have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the accounting and professional services group EY in its latest Economic Eye report. The jobs have either been lost or are being supported by government interventions, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The study found that,…

EU and UK officials are due to resume intensive negotiations in Brussels this morning on a future relationship treaty. Both sides are said to be still far apart on the most difficult issues. The UK’s chief negotiator has said he will not be changing the UK position that any deal must be compatible with what he…

Ireland’s taxation system has been ranked as the number one concern among family businesses, according to the results of the first National Family Business Sentiment Survey published today. The report was compiled by the Family Business Network and professional services firm Smith and Williamson.  Respondents called for a more progressive taxation regime with changes specifically…

The European Commission and British government are discussing a possible grace period to allow retailers in Northern Ireland time to adapt to the significant changes that will come into effect on 1 January under the Northern Ireland Protocol. It is understood that a temporary adjustment period, if agreed by both sides, would mean that large volumes…

Consumer prices fell at their fastest rate in a decade in October, with prices down 1.5% compared to the same month a year ago, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show today.  The rate of inflation here has dropped on an annual basis for seven months in a row since restrictions to stop the…