Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to announce a €36 million aid package for Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv today. The Irish leader will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Russia’s ongoing war and Ukraine’s path to EU membership. Key points of the visit: Harris and Zelenskyy will sign an agreement on support … Read more
Unemployment rate in Ireland dropped to 4.3 per cent in August, down from 4.7 per cent a month ago, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO data said the seasonally adjusted number of unemployed people fell by 9,800, dropping from 134,400 in July to 124,600 in August. Despite the monthly … Read more
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, the country’s budget watchdog, has raised concerns about the government’s current spending approach. They warn that the “everything now” strategy could lead to problems down the road. The Council says the government is trying to do too much at once: cutting taxes, increasing daily spending, and ramping up long-term investment … Read more
Ireland is making strides in its fight against climate change, but needs to pick up the pace, according to the latest Climate Action Plan report. The country has shown some promising signs, with 20 out of 33 new climate actions completed on time in the first half of 2024. Even more encouragingly, greenhouse gas emissions … Read more
Uisce Éireann has launched a new free-to-use text alert service with an aim to keep customers informed about water supply issues and ongoing maintenance work. This service, now available to 1.6 million households across Ireland, will provide timely updates on both planned and unplanned water outages, according to the national water company. Customers can easily … Read more
Indian nationals had the highest median weekly earnings in Ireland last year, at €883.74, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This was followed by those from the United Kingdom (€745.71), and Irish nationals (€728.03). According to CSO data, Indian nationals accounted for 2.6 per cent of total employments in 2023, … Read more
A significant decrease in electric vehicle (EV) sales has been recorded in the country this year, with just over 15,000 new EVs sold so far, according to new figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). This represents a drop of more than 25 per cent compared to the same period last year. … Read more
A storm of controversy has erupted in Ireland as news broke of the government spending an eye-watering €336,000 on a bike shelter at Leinster House, the seat of the Irish Parliament. This extravagant expenditure for a facility that can accommodate just 18 bikes has left politicians and the public alike in disbelief. The project’s breakdown … Read more
Focus Ireland, a leading homeless charity, has revealed a sharp rise in demand for its services in 2023. The organization supported 18,000 people last year, marking a 12.5% increase from 2022. This surge highlights the growing need for more social housing in Ireland. Key points: Record-breaking homelessness: A new high of 14,429 people are currently … Read more
Dublin’s city center is getting a clean sweep! Starting September 16, businesses will have to say goodbye to their plastic garbage bags. The city council is rolling out a new plan to tidy up the streets and tackle the mess left by commercial rubbish. The changes mean no more plastic bags for business waste in … Read more
Announcing its new housing policy plan, Sinn Féin has pledged to invest up to €39 billion in social and affordable housing over five years to address Ireland’s housing crisis. The plan, titled ‘A Home Of Your Own’, aims to deliver 300,000 homes from 2025 onwards, marking a significant shift in the country’s housing strategy. It … Read more
In a significant move to protect victims of stalking, the government has introduced new laws that allow individuals to apply for emergency court orders against their perpetrators. These orders, which come into effect today, aim to provide immediate safeguarding for victims while their cases are being determined. The interim court orders can be granted if … Read more
In Waterford, parents are up in arms over the lack of subsidized school transportation for their children attending schools in Dungarvan. Currently, parents are forced to pay €40 per week per child for a private transport service, a stark contrast to the €75 annual fee for the government’s “nearest school” transportation plan. According to Irish … Read more
The Irish government, through the Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers TD, has welcomed the completion of a €500 million share buyback transaction between AIB Group Plc (AIB) and the State. This latest transaction is part of the ongoing efforts to reduce the State’s shareholding in AIB and return taxpayer funds that were used to support … Read more
In a remarkable breakthrough, Irish researchers have discovered that a simple change in how doctors prescribe antibiotics can lead to a dramatic 21% reduction in their use. This finding, revealed in a collaborative study by the University of Limerick and the Department of Health, could be a game-changer in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), … Read more