Latest news with #Isme
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Majority of Irish SMEs unaffected by crime in the past 12 months
Almost two-thirds of small and medium businesses say they have not been targeted by criminals in the past year, according small business lobby group Isme . It says the survey results challenge recent public narratives about rising crime rates. However, the one-third of business owners who have been victims of crime say they have been targeted more than once, a new survey has indicated. The poll of 84 Isme members found 36 per cent of respondents had been targeted by criminals in the past year, of which 68 per cent said they were targeted more than once. Antisocial behaviour was the most common offence cited, with 21 per cent of respondents indicating they had been affected by it. Some 17 per cent of SME owners said they had been affected by vandalism, while phishing attacks were mentioned by 15 per cent. READ MORE Isme said the costs are 'considerable' for the 36 per cent of SMES targeted by crime. More than a quarter reported increased security costs, while 22 per cent said they are now dealing with higher insurance costs and 17 per cent said they had to make expensive alterations to their premises. 'It is encouraging that most SMEs avoided crime over the past year, but the reality for repeat victims is stark,' said Neil McDonnell, Isme chief executive. 'These businesses are paying more for security, more for insurance, and losing valuable time and productivity. Just under three-quarters of SME owners rate the performance of An Garda Síochána as adequate or very effective, but 85 per cent said they want more gardaí on the beat and three-quarters support tougher sentencing and increased CCTV coverage. 'SMEs are sending a clear message, they want more gardaí on the streets, tougher sentencing, and smarter use of technology like CCTV,' said Mr McDonnell. 'If repeat offenders are allowed to operate without consequence, the burden will keep falling on the businesses that can least afford it.'
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
Consumers will feel impact of insurance claims cost rises most acutely
It looks as if the nation's mechanics and parts dealers are doing well out the cost-of-living crisis . Or at least they appear to be doing better than many of those who use their services. According to the Central Bank 's latest National Claims Information Database (NCID) report, motor insurance damages claims have jumped by a staggering 179 per cent when compared to the 2015–2019 average with much of the increase attributed to inflationary pressures across the sector. [ Isme says 17% rise in personal injury payout is 'capitulation to vested interests' Opens in new window ] Consumers, of course, know all too well what the impact inflationary pressures can have, with the price of pretty much everything from groceries and gas to home loans and holidays climbing significantly over the last five years. READ MORE But even in the context of a cost-of-living crisis apparently without end, inflation of 179 per cent would appear to be – what's the word we're looking for here? – savage. While insurers will pick up the tab for the higher cost of damages claims covering everything from windscreens to paint to side panels and wing mirrors in the short term, ultimately it is consumers who will pay the price. We are, in fact, already paying that price. Motor insurance premiums have been climbing over recent years despite the fact that we have been told that improved clarity when it comes to rogue drivers on our roads, the ones who consider insurance optional, and a more widespread use of the Injuries Resolutions Board, is reducing costs for insurance companies. [ Cost of motor insurance rises at four times rate of inflation, says CSO Opens in new window ] It seems inevitable now that the rising cost of damages claims will be held up as the reason why premiums don't fall in the years ahead The chief executive of Insurance Ireland Moyagh Murdock does not talk about prices – as an umbrella group representing multiple companies in competition with each other, Insurance Ireland is always very careful not to stray into such the arena. However she did warn that the Central Bank claims data serves as 'a reminder of how fragile [recent improvements to the system] are, and the impact inflation can have on the insurance market.' It seems inevitable that it is the drivers of Ireland who will feel that impact most acutely.
Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
A roaring wood-fire oven stars at this Middle Eastern diner on one of our favourite Eat Streets
Previous SlideNext Slide Lebanese$$$$ Two years after the closure of Isme in Fitzroy in 2022, chef Joseph Rahme reignited the contemporary Middle Eastern diner within a sleek corner site in Thornbury, just next door to his focaccia bar Juju's Deli (also in South Melbourne). HSP bites are Rahme's sophisticated take on the late-night kebab shop favourite. Crisp potato sandwiched with lamb and onion, plus carefully piped layers of chilli and garlic sauces, bring the typical HSP flavours to the fore, while mint cuts through the richness. The stack is finished off with a flurry of freshly grated cheese. Crowd favourites from the Fitzroy eatery have also made their way over to Thornbury, like cheese-filled filo cigars, and bite-sized dumplings filled with spicy sujuk sausage and lathered in Turkish chilli butter and labne.
The Age
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
A roaring wood-fire oven stars at this Middle Eastern diner on one of our favourite Eat Streets
Previous SlideNext Slide Lebanese$$$$ Two years after the closure of Isme in Fitzroy in 2022, chef Joseph Rahme reignited the contemporary Middle Eastern diner within a sleek corner site in Thornbury, just next door to his focaccia bar Juju's Deli (also in South Melbourne). HSP bites are Rahme's sophisticated take on the late-night kebab shop favourite. Crisp potato sandwiched with lamb and onion, plus carefully piped layers of chilli and garlic sauces, bring the typical HSP flavours to the fore, while mint cuts through the richness. The stack is finished off with a flurry of freshly grated cheese. Crowd favourites from the Fitzroy eatery have also made their way over to Thornbury, like cheese-filled filo cigars, and bite-sized dumplings filled with spicy sujuk sausage and lathered in Turkish chilli butter and labne.
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Lawyers ‘will be real winners' if plans to hike injury awards get green light
The Alliance for Insurance Reform said the proposed rise in award levels would send premiums up for consumers, businesses and community groups. Small business lobby group Isme (Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association), called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan not to support an increase in the scale of personal injury awards. Approving the rise would be a capitulation to vested legal interests, it claimed. Isme said the increase would lead to rises in insurance premiums for both businesses and consumers and 'would take money directly from small businesses and into the pockets of lawyers'. The Judicial Council has proposed that personal injury award guidelines should be increased by almost 17pc. It is understood Mr O'Callaghan is to bring a memo to the Cabinet next Tuesday, paving the way for draft legislation that would give effect to a planned rise in award levels. It comes at a time when car insurance premiums have risen for 21 months in a row, having fallen heavily up to 2022. Three-quarters of small businesses, sports, community and voluntary groups have seen their insurance premiums rise over the last two years, despite government reforms, the Alliance for Insurance Reform reported last week. The proposal from the judges comes despite the fact that the recommended payout for minor neck injuries, where recovery is made within six months, is already up to five-and-a-half times higher than in the UK. Alliance chairman Vincent Jennings, who is also chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), said lawyers would be the winners if recommended award levels rise. Insurance campaigners fear that higher award levels will incentivise lawyers to try harder to keep cases out of the State's Injuries Resolution Board process, which generally does not pay legal fees. Injury claims cases that proceed to litigation end up with legal fees averaging €23,000, according to Central Bank research. This is despite the fact that award levels paid by the Injuries Board and those achieved when cases are litigated, or settled before a court hearing, are all similar. Close to half of the settlement offers made by the Injuries Board are rejected. It said recently that 95pc of claimants using its services are represented by a solicitor. The fact that it does not pay legal fees means people often reject its settlement offers, the submission states. 'It is astonishing that at a time when premiums are rising month on month, and we already pay higher awards than any other European country, the Government looks set to approve an increase of 17pc in personal injury awards,' Mr Jennings said. He said such an increase is certain to raise insurance premiums and shows 'a worrying lack of awareness or, worse still, indifference to the ongoing financial challenges motorists, small business owners, voluntary, community and sporting organisations face'.
