Average home prices increased by 15.2 per cent in the year to March, and, while an expected increase in supply may ease this growth, “severe” cost pressures building up in construction input prices could offset this, according to a new report, writes Colin Gleeson. The Housing Market Monitor for the first quarter, published on Tuesday by Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), shows the increase in average property prices has been much more prevalent outside of Dublin with March prices up by 17.3 per cent in the year.
Free health benefits for taxpayers have been around some time, improving and then being cut back again, in line with the economy’s overall financial health. Remember the outcry when dental benefits were slashed in the years of austerity following the financial crisis? They are still not fully restored but generally, in recent years, it has all been about enhancing the benefits available to taxpayers, with a number of new initiatives announced by Government of late. Fiona Reddan rounds up the existing benefits and the new initiatives which may help you save some money this year.
Ulster Bank moved billions of euro worth of mortgages destined for sale to other lenders to separate companies to boost cash reserves, it has emerged. The bank plans to sell home loans to rivals AIB and Permanent TSB as it winds down its business and leaves the market. Barry O’Halloran reports.
Six out of 10 retailers believe trying to be as sustainable as possible will cost their business money, while the proposed “latte levy” on single-use coffee cups will be counterproductive, according to Retail Excellence Ireland. Colin Gleeson reports. The group, which is the largest representative body for the retail industry in Ireland, warned that the proposed 20 cent levy “does not make sense”.
Customers – how dare they? Showing up too late for things, showing up too early, showing up at all. Who do they think they are presuming their telephone calls should be answered and DMs replied to this side of eternity? Why are they demanding to receive the products and services for which they have paid? Why do they complain of thirst? Laura Slattery wonders if blaming the consumer is the wisest move.
A turbulent recovery for tourism and air travel
Having previously dealt with US-based shares, I have no wish to hold on to these Dole shares — and I suspect that trying to transfer them from my deceased mother’s name would also be painful. Do you know how I could donate these shares to charity? Dominic Coyle answers your personal finance questions.
In Stocktake Proinsias O’Mahony wonders is this another bear market rally? He advises us that trying to catch market bottoms is a treacherous business, but if you’re going to try it, keep an eye on the Vix index. Proinsias also says that Jamie Dimon’s warning was misrepresented and that stocks do bounce back but often not in the ways expected.
Mairead O’Mahony is joining investment firm Aon as head of wealth, the company said on Tuesday. Ms O’Mahony joins Aon from Mercer, where she had been chief commercial officer since 2019.
Tourism and air travel have rebounded strongly in 2022 after two years of pandemic restrictions. But both are also facing major issues around pricing, staff and availability of product. In our latest episode of the Inside Business podcast, hotelier Lorraine Sweeney and Irish Times Business Affairs Correspondent Mark Paul outline some of the problems faced by the hospitality sector. Ciarán Hancock is also joined by aviation expert Joe Gill of Goodbody, to discuss how airlines across Europe are faring and whether the queuing at Dublin Airport will have a lasting impact on Ireland’s reputation as a tourism destination.
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