Latest news with #IHF
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Handball Team Intensifies World Championship Preparations
The Saudi handball team is continuing intensive preparations for the 2025 IHF Men's U19 World Championship at its ongoing training camp, where 20 players aim to enhance physical and technical readiness as part of the Saudi Handball Federation's technical committee plan, SPA reported. The team seeks to compete strongly against international teams and demonstrate the development of handball in the Kingdom.
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Planned 9.8% increase in non-domestic water charges undermining viability of hotels, says IHF
Non-domestic water charges are set to be increased by 9.8 per cent in October following a decision by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), but hoteliers have expressed 'serious concerns' over the increase. Michael Magner, the IHF president, described the increase as 'yet another example of the relentless increases in operating costs that are eroding Irish competitiveness and undermining the viability of businesses.' The new water and wastewater tariff rates will be effective from October 1st. The move is to 'ensure the recovery of costs of water services' and would aide 'the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of water services,' the CRU said. The decision to increase all charges by the same percentage value was made in the hopes of 'retaining the equity of cost allocation in the 2024 tariffs for all customer types' the CRU said in the decision published on Monday. READ MORE The IHF president said that, over the past two years, the average 70-bedroom hotel in Ireland will have seen an increase of over 40 per cent in its water tariffs. He said the increase is 'unsustainable given the exceptionally challenging environment' for Irish hotels. 'As a big consumer of water services, the hospitality sector is disproportionately impacted by increases in water tariffs, which businesses are unable to absorb.' Mr Magner said the 'cumulative impact of these and other cost increases now poses a serious threat to the viability of many businesses through our wider tourism and hospitality sector.' He said the sector is concerned about potential future annual increases over the next four years and the 'ongoing transfer of unjustifiable costs arising from inefficiencies in the delivery of water services in Ireland' while calling for a 'fairer funding model' to sustain water services and cost competitiveness for businesses.' Uisce Eireann had originally suggested a 13 per cent increase in charges to the CRU, which decides the rate, alongside two alternative increases of 1.7 per cent – in line with the harmonised index of consumer prices for 2025 – and 6.9 per cent – the average growth in Uisce Eireann's approved allowed revenues from 2020 to 2024. During a consultation period on the decision, the CRU received 22 submissions which opposed any increase but it noted that while 'affordability and competitiveness are significant issues for non-domestic customers and the Irish economy', Uisce Eireann is required to run in a 'commercially viable manner'. The regulator noted the increase was 'similar, or lower than' increases in similar percentage increases in UK water utilities. In light of the submissions received, the CRU said the 9.8 per cent increase was 'the most balanced approach'. 'The CRU is aware of the impact of bill increases for certain non-domestic customers and has engaged with Uisce Éireann to ensure that there are measures in place when engaging with customers with financial difficulties.'
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
CRU approves 9.8% hike in water charges for businesses
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has approved a 9.8% increase in water charges for businesses. Industry bodies have expressed concerns about the hike, which will come into effect from the start of October. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said this is just one example of how increased operating costs are undermining the viability of businesses. "Over a two-year period, the average 70-bedroom hotel in Ireland will have seen an increase of over 40% in water tariffs," said Michael Magner, IHF President. "This is unsustainable given the exceptionally challenging environment in which hotels and other hospitality businesses are currently operating." According to Mr Magner, the hospitality sector is disproportionately impacted by increases in water charges, which he said businesses are unable to absorb. "The cumulative impact of these and other cost increases now poses a serious threat to the viability of many businesses through our wider tourism and hospitality sector. "It is now imperative that the Government tackles these increases head on and delivers targeted measures to enhance cost competitiveness and support business viability," he added. Mr Magner said the industry is particularly concerned about the potential for further annual increases through to 2029. "We are calling for a fairer funding model that supports the long-term sustainability of Irish water services, while maintaining cost competitiveness for SMEs," he added. In its decision published yesterday, the CRU said the increased water charges are necessary to ensure the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of water services.
Arab Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait U-19 handball team heads to Europe for World Cup preparations
KUWAIT CITY, July 13: The delegation of Kuwait's junior national handball team departed this morning for Croatia and Slovenia to begin an external training camp in preparation for the 2025 IHF Men's Youth (U-19) World Championship set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from August 6 to 16. The delegation is led by Kuwait Handball Association Secretary General Qaid Al-Adwani and includes Board Member Mishaal Al-Qabandi, National Teams Technical Director Faisal Saywan, Team Manager Yousef Al-Shaheen, and the full technical staff headed by Danish coach Heine, along with assistant national coach Saud Mufreh and goalkeeper coach Marwan Maqayez. The camp includes 22 players. Speaking ahead of departure, Faisal Saywan praised the players for their dedication during the first phase of preparation, which took place locally through intensive training sessions. He also highlighted the inclusion of several younger players into the junior squad—a move aimed at nurturing talent and strengthening the overall development pipeline for Kuwaiti handball across all age groups. The European training camp is expected to play a key role in sharpening the team's competitive edge ahead of the World Championship in Cairo.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Hotels body renews call for 9% VAT rate amid ‘ever-increasing operating costs'
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has renewed calls on the Government for a 'permanent restoration' of the 9 per cent VAT rate on the hospitality food services sector amid 'ever-increasing operating costs' in the upcoming budget. The IHF, the body for the hotel and guesthouse sector in Ireland, said the industry is experiencing 'difficult headwinds' amid the ongoing economic uncertainty caused by US import tariffs. 'Tourism businesses are struggling to deal with ever-increasing operating costs and tighter margins,' said the president of the Irish Hotels Federation, Michael Magner. The IHF holding an event in Buswells Hotel with public representatives on Wednesday to explain their position. 'It is now essential that the Government tackles this head on and delivers targeted measures to enhance cost competitiveness and support business viability,' he said. READ MORE Reducing the value added tax (VAT) rate to 9 per cent has been an ongoing campaign by the hospitality sector. The cost to the exchequer to stand at €764 million annually if applied to the full sector, or €545 million if restricted to food and catering services, as per estimates from the Tax Strategy Group in 2024. In an effort to boost tourism numbers, the sector called on the Government to enable 'enhanced air access' at Dublin and regional airports. The request comes amid rising scrutiny over the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, which the DAA expects will be breached this year. [ Does Ireland's hospitality sector really need a VAT cut? Opens in new window ] To aid the sector in riding out the wave of economic difficulties, the hotels group also appealed for the Government to introduce measures to tackle 'excessive' business costs such as insurance premiums and energy pass through charges. The Juggle: the issues facing women with young children when balancing childcare and their careers Listen | 44:30 The body requested increased investment in training and skills development for the sector through the National Training Fund and additional funding allocations to the public bodies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The hotels federation president said that reduced tourism expenditure combined with economic challenges and political uncertainty post a 'serious risk' to the industry. He pointed to data from Fáilte Ireland showing 51 per cent of tourism businesses The sector, which generates €10 billion in revenue annually, was found by Fáilte Ireland to have seen 51 per cent of hospitality businesses see a decrease in revenues to date in 2025 compared with last year.
