Ireland’s national energy grid operator, EirGrid, has good news for the country as winter approaches. The risk of power shortages during the cold months has significantly decreased compared to last year’s expectations. In its annual ‘Winter Outlook’ report, EirGrid revealed that the chances of electricity demand outstripping supply have dropped dramatically. The key measure, known … Read more
The Irish government is set to announce the payment schedule for its massive €2.2 billion cost-of-living support package today. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys will present the dates to her Cabinet colleagues, bringing welcome news to families struggling with rising prices. The first payment, a €400 lump sum for recipients of various support grants, … Read more
Two schools in Dublin’s Lucan area were evacuated this morning following reports of a “major gas leak”. Children and staff from Scoil Áine Naofa and St. Thomas’ Junior National School were safely evacuated as a precautionary measure. In a statement, Dublin Fire Brigade said a gas main was struck near Esker Drive off the R120 … Read more
Most Irish renters are leaving money on the table, according to shocking new figures released today. The data reveals that a whopping 80% of eligible renters have yet to claim their €1,000 tax credit this year. The tax credit, designed to ease the burden on renters amid soaring housing costs, has seen surprisingly low uptake. … Read more
Dublin Bus has launched a bold new initiative to combat rising anti-social behavior on its routes. Starting today, security guards will be patrolling buses across the capital in a 20-week pilot scheme. Dublin Bus CEO Billy Hann revealed the alarming increase in incidents that sparked this action. “Before the pandemic, we had about 500 incidents … Read more
More than €18 million of Ireland’s 2023 defence budget was left unspent and returned to the exchequer, according to a report by the State’s auditor. The unspent funds were largely the result of significant underspending on pay within the defence sector. While the pay underspend was the most dramatic, there were overspends in other areas … Read more
Ireland is bracing for a wet and wild day as heavy rain sweeps across the country. Met Éireann has issued Orange rain warnings for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, signaling a high risk of flooding and treacherous driving conditions. The downpour began early in Connaught and Munster and is expected to spread eastward throughout the day. … Read more
Ireland’s public transport companies are gearing up to enforce a new ban on electric scooters starting next week. Iarnród Éireann warns that passengers caught with e-scooters on trains could face a hefty €100 fine. The National Transport Authority (NTA) implemented this ban due to concerns about potential fires, toxic fumes, and explosions caused by e-scooters’ … Read more
Bank of Ireland has issued a warning to customers to remain vigilant amid a wave of new fraud attempts linked to the recent announcement of energy credits in Budget 2025. The bank highlighted that fraudsters are increasingly using topical events, such as the new energy credits revealed in this week’s Budget, to scam unsuspecting consumers. … Read more
Budget 2025 will give modest benefits for an average household, but it will not significantly reduce overall poverty levels, as per an analysis by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). According to ESRI research, the untargeted cost-of-living measures like energy credits and double child benefit payments could have been better utilised. ESRI estimates that … Read more
Former Fianna Fáil TD and Cabinet minister Mary O’Rourke has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Irish politics for decades. Born into the influential Lenihan political dynasty, O’Rourke carved out her own path in public service. She first entered the Dáil in 1982 as a TD for Longford-Westmeath … Read more
Met Éireann has sounded the alarm for Cork and Kerry, issuing a Status Orange rain warning for Saturday. The alert, set to begin at the stroke of midnight on Friday and last until 11pm Saturday, paints a gloomy picture for the weekend. Residents and visitors in these counties should brace for potential river and coastal … Read more
Ireland’s tax revenue has seen a significant boost, with the government raking in over €68 billion so far this year. This marks an impressive 11% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the latest quarterly update from the Department of Finance. The surge in tax collection is largely driven by corporation tax, … Read more
Irish Rail on Thursday announced it will revert to its pre-August timetable from October 14 in view of “enormous disruption” caused to passengers due to the introduction of a new schedule. “Iarnod Eireann deeply regrets the disruption to our customers’ daily journeys and lives which have resulted from timetable changes since August 26,” the Irish … Read more
Ireland’s Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has confirmed that parents of babies born in December will qualify for the newly announced €420 grant for newborns. The grant, which was introduced as part of the recent Budget, will be available to all babies born from January 1, 2025. However, an exception has been made for December-born … Read more