Search Results for 'Economics'

Westport deputy Michael Ring spoke in the Dáil last week, seeking clarification about the number of people engaged in commercial activity, including the operation of a farm, who had applied for pension entitlements.

The Galway City Council is chasing €1.2 million worth of development levies it is owed. Five cases are also due to come before the District Court over the recovery of monies.

Your home and its contents are among your most valuable possessions. Insuring them against fire, theft, and other damage should be a priority. If you have a mortgage you will be required to take out compulsory buildings insurance, which varies in price depending on the size, location, and rebuilding cost of your property. Lenders require this insurance not for your benefit but for theirs, as their priority is to protect their financial interest in the property.

Q. I am a self employed individual and have my own business providing repair and maintenance services to individuals and companies. In recent months I have lost several large contracts and the business is no longer viable. I have two employees who have worked with me for the last 15 years. I have been told that my employees will be entitled to jobseekers’ benefit if the business folds but as the owner I have no entitlements. Is this correct?

New figures released by the Central Statistics Office this week reveal that unemployment levels continue to rise. There has been a massive 95 per cent increase in the number of people claiming unemployment assistance on the same period last year. Currently, nationally, there are a staggering 388,600 people claiming assistance, up from 188,800 on the corresponding period last year. This means that the unemployment rate has more than doubled from 5.5 per cent this time last year to 11.4 per cent at present.

It is time for the government to move immediately to heal the damage done to the relationship between workers in the public sector and the private sector, according to Kilkenny Labour Party councillor Seán Ó hArgáin. He was speaking following a canvass in Kilkenny city at the weekend where he said he encountered huge anger among public sector workers at what they believed was a nasty and demeaning campaign against them in recent months.

Rents in Westmeath are approximately 12 per cent lower than they were a year ago, according to the latest figures from Ireland’s busiest property website Daft.ie.

A leading London-based economist this week that temporary nationalisation of Ireland's banks and not the Government's NAMA plan is the best option for the country.

A leading London-based economist this week that temporary nationalisation of Ireland's banks and not the Government's NAMA plan is the best option for the country.

Despite the property downturn, there are still great opportunities to spend a little and gain a lot with home improvements to stay ahead of the game. The property market may be stalled and house prices may be falling but you can still do a lot to maintain and even increase the value of your home.