The average interest rate on new Irish mortgages increased to 3.82 per cent in January, up from 3.8 per cent in December, despite recent rate cuts from the European Central Bank, according to new figures from the Central Bank. Ireland now has the fifth highest average mortgage rates in the euro zone, where the overall … Read more
Planning permissions for new homes in Ireland plummeted by 21% last year, with a particularly sharp decline in apartment approvals, according to new data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The figures reveal that local authorities approved just 32,401 housing units in 2024, a significant drop from the 41,225 permissions granted in 2023. This … Read more
Glycerol in slushies can make children sick and should not be consumed by those under eight years old, according to a new study from University College Dublin (UCD). The research reviewed 21 cases of children who presented to medical centres across the UK and Ireland between 2009 and 2024 after consuming slushie drinks. An overwhelming … Read more
Temperatures are set to plummet across Ireland in the coming days, with Met Éireann forecasting lows of -3C in some parts of the country. The national forecaster has warned of a significant drop in temperatures as a cold weather system moves across the island, bringing frosty conditions and sub-zero nights to many areas. Despite the … Read more
More than 160 children with special educational needs will be homeschooled this academic year after their families successfully applied for home tuition grants when school placements proved unavailable. The figures, revealed in a recently published ministerial brief prepared for Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan, highlight ongoing challenges in Ireland’s special education system … Read more
Budget airline Ryanair has removed a long-standing restriction that prevented non-EU nationals from purchasing ordinary shares in the company. EU regulations require that at least 51 per cent of an airline’s shares be held by EU nationals to maintain operational rights. While non-EU investors could previously buy shares, these were classified as restricted, meaning they … Read more
The Department of Housing has stated that there are no current plans to introduce charges for excessive household water use. In a statement, the department clarified that while Minister for Housing James Browne had received a briefing on the matter, no formal proposal has been presented to him, and such charges are not part of … Read more
Unions representing health workers in the charity and voluntary sectors have reached a tentative agreement with government representatives to resolve a long-running pay dispute. The deal, finalized during extensive negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), includes a 9.25% pay increase to be implemented over a two-year period from October 2024 to October 2026. According … Read more
Approximately 7,000 homeowners across Ireland are currently being charged interest rates of at least 8.5% on their mortgages by vulture funds, according to a newly released Oireachtas paper. The document highlights the financial strain being placed on these households, who are paying significantly more than the standard variable rates typically offered by mainstream lenders. These … Read more
Large energy users would face significant risks if Ireland’s power grid were to come under attack, Tánaiste Simon Harris will warn a government taskforce today. Harris is chairing a meeting of the Government’s Taskforce on Emergency Planning where discussions will focus on Ireland’s preparedness and ability to respond to potential attacks on the national energy … Read more
Enterprise minister Peter Burke has announced the expansion of employment permits, aiming to tackle labour shortages in the construction and home care sectors in Ireland. An additional 1,000 home carers from outside the European Union will be allowed entry through general employment permits, while town planners will be added to the critical skills permit list. … Read more
A NEW SYSTEM of judicial selection is set to be implemented in Ireland this week, marking a significant change in how judges are appointed across the country. Following the approval of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill by the Seanad in July, a nine-person Commission comprising both judges and laypersons will replace the former Judicial Appointments … Read more
THE IRISH NURSES and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and Fórsa are today serving formal notice of industrial action to the HSE and Section 38 voluntary hospitals amid an ongoing dispute over staffing levels. The industrial action will take the form of a work-to-rule, with healthcare workers set to refuse overtime and out-of-hours duties requested by management, … Read more
A possible establishment of direct air service between Ireland and India is among the key actions being explored to improve connectivity between both nations, according to a report in Business Post. The proposal, part of a draft action plan, follows a meeting between India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, and Tánaiste Simon Harris in Dublin earlier … Read more
Ireland and India agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission (JEC), following a bilateral meeting between S Jaishankar and Tanaiste Simon Harris earlier today in Dublin. The meeting assumed significance as it marked the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Ireland and was the first high-level political visit from India since the … Read more