Business News

Sophisticated bank scams highlight growing risks for customers

22nd December 2025

Bank customers are being urged to remain alert this Christmas as fraudsters deploy increasingly convincing tactics designed to impersonate well-known financial institutions. Recent scam activity shows a shift towards highly polished phone-based fraud, where criminals use authentic bank recordings to create the illusion of legitimacy. The scam typically begins with a text message claiming to […]

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Government expands housing investment fund with new €400m equity programme

22nd December 2025

The Government has confirmed a significant expansion of its housing investment strategy, announcing a new €400 million equity programme through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. The move brings total equity backing for homebuilding under the fund to €800 million since the initiative was launched in mid-2023. ISIF, which is managed by the National Treasury Management […]

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ISME cautions against passing grid upgrade costs onto businesses and consumers

19th December 2025

The Irish SME Association has warned that planned investment in Ireland’s electricity grid should not result in higher energy bills for businesses or households. The organisation argues that while upgrading the national network is necessary, the financial burden should not be transferred directly to end users. The warning follows comments from the energy regulator indicating […]

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Banks warn of surge in text message scams as festive season approaches

19th December 2025

Irish banks are warning consumers and businesses to be on high alert for a rise in so-called smishing scams in the lead-up to Christmas, as fraudsters increasingly exploit busy periods and heightened online activity. New figures show that text message fraud remains the most common source of payment scams reported by customers this year. AIB […]

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Central Bank warns housing targets remain difficult as supply pressures persist

19th December 2025

The Central Bank has warned that achieving the Government’s target of delivering 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030 will remain difficult, pointing to ongoing constraints across the construction sector. While the bank has slightly upgraded its outlook for housing output, it remains cautious about the pace at which supply can increase. According to […]

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House Price Inflation Moderates Slightly as Regional Gaps Persist

18th December 2025

Residential property prices continued to rise in the year to October, with annual growth easing marginally to 7.3 percent, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office. This compares with a revised growth rate of 7.5 percent in September, suggesting price inflation remains strong despite signs of a gradual slowdown. The figures show […]

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ECB Expected to Keep Interest Rates on Hold as Euro Zone Growth Holds Up

18th December 2025

The European Central Bank is expected to leave interest rates unchanged, reflecting a growing confidence that the euro zone economy is proving more resilient than previously feared. Recent economic data from across the single currency area has outperformed earlier ECB forecasts, easing pressure on policymakers to consider near term rate cuts. Growth across the 20 […]

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Budget Measures Expected to Reduce Household Disposable Incomes, ESRI Warns

18th December 2025

Recent Budget decisions are set to lead to a fall of around 1.3 percent in disposable incomes for many households, according to new analysis from the Economic and Social Research Institute. The ESRI suggests the impact will be felt most acutely by middle and higher income earners, following the freezing of income tax credits and […]

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Ireland Must Decouple Economic Growth from Fossil Fuel Use, SEAI Warns

17th December 2025

Ireland has reduced its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 16% since 2018, yet remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels as the economy continues to expand, according to a new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The Energy in Ireland 2025 report finds that while emissions linked to energy use are now at their […]

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UK Unemployment Climbs as Labour Market Shows Further Signs of Strain

17th December 2025

New figures from the UK’s Office for National Statistics indicate a continued softening in the British labour market, with unemployment rising and wage growth easing again, particularly affecting younger workers. The unemployment rate increased to 5.1% in the three months to October, up from 5% in the previous period. This marks the highest level recorded […]

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