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Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Cost of health insurance nears €2,000
If health insurance, along with most things these days, feels like it's getting more expensive , then you're right. The cost of private health insurance has jumped to almost €2,000 per person, according to industry watchdog HIA. As Conor Pope reports, as well as a spike in prices, the figures highlight a significant slowdown in the numbers taking out cover in the first three months of the year. As the Government brings in sweeping changes to the rental market here, John McManus assesses how housing has become an issue that voters expect the State to provide in the same way as health or education, and explores the implications for financing new homes such a change has. These days it seems almost impossible to buy a home if you aren't part of a couple. But it can be done . In Money Matters Joanne Hunt outlines what you need to know about buying your home on your own. US trade tariffs will result in a major slowdown in global growth but not a recession, the World Bank has said. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the Washington-based institution said that heightened trade tensions and wider policy uncertainty would drive global growth down this year 'to its slowest pace since 2008 outside of outright global recessions'. Eoin Burke-Kennedy reports. READ MORE The impact of the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) on Ireland's energy demands is 'not going to be as steep as many people believe', Research Ireland has told an Oireachtas committee. Colin Gleeson watched the hearing. A team of four Trinity College Dublin students placed third at the Global Finals of the Boston University Susilo Business and Ethics Case Competition. The students were the first Irish team to reach the world finals in the competition. Hugh Dooley reports. How to manage your pension in these volatile times Listen | 37:00 In Commercial Property, Fiona Reddan reports that a high-spec manufacturing facility, currently owned and operated by Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland, in Askeaton, Co Limerick, is being brought to the market asking €22 million. Also in Commercial Property, Ronald Quinlan writes that Coonan Property and Savills are guiding a price of €6.55 million for a 10.92-acre site with full planning permission for the development of six industrial units in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Ronald also reports that the first building in what is being billed as Ireland's first co-located university enterprise quarter has been launched on the site of the former Waterford Crystal factory site on Waterford City's Cork Road. Boots booked a €2.4 million impairment charge against the value of its Irish property portfolio last year as a precaution against rising sales costs and overheads, as profit growth eased significantly from the previous year. Ian Curran has the story. A mystery objector is opposing a planned new gate as part of house revamp plans by Dee and Ian Lawlor for their property at Coolbeg, Shrewsbury Road in Dublin 4. Gordon Deegan has details of the objection against the work planned for the house, which was used in scenes from the 1990s Hollywood blockbuster Far and Away starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Retailer Marks & Spencer resumed taking some online orders for clothing lines for customers in England, Scotland and Wales on Tuesday after a 46-day hiatus following a cyberattack, but customers in Ireland will have to wait a while longer. If you'd like to read more about the issues that affect your finances try signing up to On the Money , the weekly newsletter from our personal finance team, which will be issued every Friday to Irish Times subscribers.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Will Rent Pressure Zone reform help fix the housing crisis?
The Government will bring its latest housing fix to Cabinet today when it presents new rules on rent levels for approval. Aimed at boosting supply – by encouraging large institutional investors to build and small landlords to stay in the market – the plan primarily concerns rules around Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ). These were established in 2016 – the number of such zones grew over the years – to curb rent rises. Landlords could only raise rents annually, first by 4 per cent and in a subsequent change to the rules, by 2 per cent. Now landlords of new builds – new houses or apartments – do not have to abide by those caps. Also when a new tenancy begins, a landlord can charge market rent – not the capped RPZ level. Existing tenants will still have 2 per cent rises, for the six-year duration of the lease. READ MORE There will also be new measures to prevent landlords evicting existing tenants simply to greatly raise the rent for a new tenancy. Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope says no one is happy with the new plan, but why? And does the plan make sense? Economics Correspondent Eoin Burke-Kennedy gives his analysis. Will the move really lure capital investment into Ireland's housing market? Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Will tariffs make life even more expensive for Irish consumers?
Butter is becoming a luxury item; rents in the Republic have reached an all time high – just two examples of prices that seem to be constantly on the move upwards. Good news for the hard-pressed consumer is in short supply – even as inflation has reduced to a more sober 2 per cent . And to add to the uncertainty, US president Donald Trump on Friday said he will impose a 50 per cent tariff on goods from the EU. In previous years, the government has sought to help households with a range of one-off payments and double allowances, but the mood music coming from Leinster House is that those days are over as the chill winds of changing US tax and tariff policies bite. READ MORE Two years ago, it seemed that every second headline and radio discussion was about the 'cost-of-living crisis' but we don't hear that expression much any more. Are we worn down with ever-rising prices? On today's In The News podcast Irish Times Consumer Affairs correspondent Conor Pope explains why prices in Ireland are staying stubbornly high and suggests ways people can help themselves. Cliff Taylor looks at the potential impact of tariffs. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘It's not about a life of misery. It's managing the money you have'
Track your spending, pay yourself first and set your financial goals. That is the advice from Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent and Pricewatch editor, Conor Pope . Yeah, but literally how though? It's hard to budget in Ireland where costs are so high and wages haven't kept up for so many of us. READ MORE For those who are comfortable with spreadsheets, budgeting is a simple case of column A and column B; charting their incomings and outgoings. But if you struggle to budget and wonder where you are going wrong, episode one of our new podcast series Better with Money is a refreshingly spreadsheet-free zone. This no-nonsense guide is devoid of jargon and heavy on solidarity and we won't be trying to dissuade you from your matcha lattes or bottomless brunches. 'It's not about living a life of misery. It's about managing the money you have without draining the colour from your life,' says Pope. Listen on the player above or search for Better with Money wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan. Resources mentioned in this episode: Spendee budgeting app MABS bugeting tool CCPC budgeting tool Charles Duhigg Revolut vaults explainer An Post Money jars Bonkers Switcher
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Bad with money? Our new podcast Better with Money gives practical advice for fixing your finances
If you've always been a bit a mess with money, and it's really time you got your act together, Better With Money from The Irish Times is the podcast for you. Whether you're brutal at budgeting, interested in investing or hoping for your own home - host Aideen Finnegan speaks to people who've been there and done that. In episode one, Aideen and Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope take a look at the crucial first step on the path to sustainable finances: getting a grip on your expenditure. So don't feel bad if you don't know your assets from your elbow – check out Better With Money from The Irish Times. Episode one is available on Tuesday, May 12th. READ MORE
