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The first 50 of 300 community Broadband Connection Points (BCPs), that are being rolled out as part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) have been connected. BCPs are public locations which have been selected to receive free high-speed connectivity in the first year of the NBP, to provide broadband to communities that don’t have it,…

The UK economy grew much more slowly than expected in August, setting back its recovery from the coronavirus lockdown. Much of what growth recorded in August was down to a one-off government restaurant subsidy programme, official data showed today.  UK gross domestic product rose by 2.1% from July, its slowest month-on-month increase since the economy…

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said that without accounting for policy measures in key areas, such as health and housing, the Budget estimates for next year will include an increase of approximately €3 billion in core expenditure. A further €9bn roughly will be needed for Covid related spending, Michael McGrath said, although…

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar is writing to every business in Ireland urging them to prepare for the change in relationship between Britain and the EU.  The letter has been sent to the roughly 225,000 businesses registered with the Companies Registration Office. In it, Leo Varadkar advises companies to get to…

The Government has admitted that its supply of social housing is only 35% of target due to the reduction in construction during Covid-19 restrictions. Opposition parties have described the figures as worse than expected with Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin saying they are “deeply disturbing”. Mr Ó Broin said, “The dramatic fall in output…

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has warned that another full-blown lockdown is “not inconceivable”, and that allocating further supports for the aviation sector will involve hard choices about priorities. Mr Ryan was addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks which was hearing submissions on the challenges facing the aviation sector. Representatives…

Revenue has brought forward the date of payment for Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme supports to eligible employers.  EWSS payments in respect of September payroll submissions, which were due to be made as soon as possible after October 14, will now be paid into the designated bank accounts of eligible employers by this Friday morning, October…

The Government has approved an increase in the National Minimum Wage of 10 cent an hour, which will bring  it to €10.20 per hour from 1 January.  The move is set to benefit over 122,000 minimum wage workers, though unions have dismissed the increase of less than 1% as inadequate. Some weeks ago, Irish Congress of Trade Unions…

The Tourism Recovery Taskforce has called for radical steps to sustain and revive the industry post-Covid 19 including €120m in grant aid, a loan scheme and staggered school holidays. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce published its Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-2023 yesterday. Chair of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and CEO of the Incoming Tour Operators Association Ruth Andrews said any longer-term…

The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has fallen to just under 206,000 – down almost 12,000 from over 217,000 a week ago.  That is according to the latest figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.  This week, 205,593 people will receive PUP payments, a reduction of 11,549 compared to last…