Search Results for 'Economy'

The Restaurants' Association of Ireland (RAI) has expressed concern that the lack of legislative issues addressed in the July Stimulus package - such as insurance reform and commercial leases - could prove detrimental to the industry.

“A vibrant, profitable SME sector is not only essential for the financial health of the State and the Exchequer, but it is also the basis upon which our trade association survives. ISME desperately hopes that the July Stimulus package announced last week will succeed, but we fear it will not be enough” - the words of ISME CEO, Neil McDonnell, following the Government’s announcement of the July stimulus package in recent times.

Ireland Active, the national association for the leisure, health and fitness sector, has welcomed the news of improved measures for supporting business as part of the July Stimulus package.

Commenting on the most recent CSO Residential Property Price Index for May, IPAV, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, said while it’s not surprising there is a large drop in the number of dwelling purchases, 46.2 percent on May last year, arising from the pandemic, the big worry is what the pandemic and the reaction to it by stakeholders will do to the supply of properties, which is already well behind demand.

Commenting on the most recent Residential Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions from the Central Bank for Q1 2020, Brokers Ireland said while it is positive that long-term arrears are showing signs of improvement they are not what they should be and there is strong evidence of ‘extend and pretend’ particularly in relation to longer term arrears.

Q: I’m having a tough time finding the right balance in my days during COVID-19, when I’m working from home. I seem to be constantly worried that I am not getting enough done, not to mention not getting enough of the right stuff done. I thought my time management skills were good, but I’ve lost faith in them. I’m all over the shop. I can’t ever switch off and I feel less productive than I ever did. Any suggestions? (DC, email).

Commenting on the most recent Central Bank report on retail interest rates for May, Brokers Ireland said not only are Irish mortgage holders paying much higher interest rates than their euro area counterparts but Irish SMEs are being “absolutely fleeced” by comparison with their euro area businesses.

IPAV, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, has warned that if over-zealous lending restrictions are implemented by banks it will ruin confidence among builders and cause house building to slow to a trickle.

Sale prices fell by 3.3 percent in the year to June, according to the most recently issued Daft.ie Housing Market Report with the average price of a standard three bedroom semi-detached residential property in Westmeath now costing €140,000.

"Too many people" have been unable to keep up with their rent or mortgage payments due to the societal effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Government must take action on this issue.