Election campaign got off to spluttering start on economic and budget issues. Here is what it all means
Among the variables in financial planning is the election of Donald Trump and his potential impact on foreign direct investment and tax
Smart Money
Donald Trump’s economic plan: the key areas for Ireland
US president-elect promises tariffs which could ignite a trade war with the EU and has sights set on corporate tax rate
Cliff Taylor: How the return of SSIA-style incentives might be on the cards for Irish households
New policies in election manifestos likely to try to get cash to move from household savings into equity investments
What will the election tax promises mean for your pocket?
Parties will make a raft of pledges during the election campaign - but voters would be wise to be sceptical about their delivery
A group of borrowers is trapped in the never-never land of Irish mortgage arrears
It is ‘extraordinary that arrears are running at such a high level 15 years after the crash’
Another interest rate cut is coming for borrowers next week, but the economy doesn’t need it
Reduction will add to demand in the housing market as lending becomes cheaper while supply lags behind
Will the Universal Social Charge become hostage to a bitter general election campaign?
The unpopular, post-crash tax may be targeted in an election arms race but pretending it can be abolished would be crazy
Yes, Budget 2025 will affect your living standards. Here’s how
It’s one of the biggest political days of the year, and it will have an impact on our pockets
Is help-to-buy a vital support for house buyers or is it just pushing up prices?
The Government is to discuss expanding it while Sinn Féin pledges to phase it out
Ireland’s disease of high prices is getting worse – has the Government added €1,000 to your household bills?
The Central Bank estimates that the Government’s breach of its 5% spending rule is adding about 0.5 of a percentage point to annual inflation
Our population is booming, but can the State cope?
By the next decade the numbers living in the Republic could top six million
What might the economic battle between Trump and Kamala Harris mean for Ireland?
If Trump slashed the US rate of corporate tax to 15%, it would wipe out Ireland’s tax advantage in attracting US foreign direct investment
Many young families are still financially squeezed. Here’s why
Why are people still struggling if inflation is falling and wages are rising?
A general election is coming - prepare to be bribed for your vote
Government is planning another round of once-off household supports while struggling to keep permanent spending under control
What will the budget mean for the cost of a bike, a heat pump, the internet and your energy bill?
All the focus is on income tax, but decisions on VAT and excise are vital for your spending power
Double child benefit weeks? Higher electricity bills? Five key decisions for October’s budget
Tax is the number one thorny issue for the Government to deal with
The ECB is sitting on the fence– so what does that mean for your mortgage rate?
Hopes of a steady reduction in interest rates are being called into question and the ECB says what will happen at its next meeting remains " wide open”
Budget 2025: How will the €8.3bn budget affect your pocket?
The Government appears to have a lot of cash to spend - but when you look at the details, big decisions lie ahead on how to help households
The two big reasons why it is so hard to say how many homes we need
There are numerous estimates of how many homes Ireland has to build. But which one is right?
Women filling majority of new jobs in Irish economy - and trend is only going one way
Female labour force participation has risen steadily from below 50% at the turn of the century to over 60% now, but remains low by international standards
Irish employees now have upper hand in the debate over working from home
There are interesting trends as employees seek to use new legislation and official guidelines to their advantage as remote working beds in across the office workforce
Interest rates will remain high, even as the ECB starts cutting
Borrowers should not expect to see ultra low rates any time soon, regardless of today’s rate cut
Ireland’s high earners have doubled in number since pre-pandemic - they are now vital for income tax
As with corporation tax, income tax comes from a relatively small base and many of the better-off work for big corporations, demonstrating vulnerability in the system
Ireland income tax: What would Sinn Féin’s policies mean for you?
An aspect of the party’s proposals that has received little attention would prove significant for those earning over €100,000
Ireland is spending big on housing. So why is the sector still in crisis?
The State is putting an awful lot of cash in, but are taxpayers seeing a worthwhile return?
The outlook for interest rate cuts is changing - so should Irish borrowers be worried?
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve signalled US interest rates were staying higher for longer, and the mood in Europe has shifted too, with implications for Irish mortgage holders
Scope for budget tax cuts and cash for households is limited - this will be a difficult pre-election package to agree on
The commitment to put €6bn a year into long-term savings funds will knock a serious hole in headline general Government surplus
Buyers of older homes may pay thousands more per year in mortgage repayments
How green is your mortgage? The incentives to buy an A or B rated home are rising, but many cannot get hold of new builds and are left paying more expensive rates
€6bn has been removed from the budget day pot. Politically, this could get interesting
State funds intend to save some of the massive inflow of corporation tax
Bridging loans: would the return of this kind of finance help those who want to downsize to a smaller home?
As well as an emotional attachment to the family home, there are financial barriers for “empty nesters” who want to move to less spacious accommodation
Want to work from home? Here are the rules governing your employer’s reaction
Hybrid is the future - US research found average workers come in 2.6 days a week, while it is unlikely everyone will ever return for the full five
Ireland’s pot of gold: you don’t own the half of it
Top 10% richest households own 48% of the net wealth in the State
It doesn’t look wise to lock in your mortgage at 4.75% or more
Interest rates are not coming down immediately, but they will fall later this year, posing a dilemma for those taking out mortgages
Welcome to the ‘great unretirement’ – why are more and more over-60s returning to work?
How much of this is driven by financial necessity or other factors?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Election 2024
Full general election coverage including analysis and results for all 43 constituencies
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices