Archive for November 2020

A new report shows that nearly two in three Irish law firms recorded a decline in revenue over the last year. Six out of ten firms cited maintaining profitability as a key challenge facing the sector over the next two to three years. The report from accountancy and professional services firm Smith & Williamson – its…

A total of 7,412 people have availed of the Department of Social Protection’s Enterprise Support Grant since applications were opened in August.  The once-off payment is worth up to €1,000 per person and €6.85m has been paid out in Enterprise Support Grants since August. It is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters…

Crunch talks aimed at securing a post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and UK will resume today in what could be the final week of discussions. The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his counterpart David Frost will meet again in London as they seek to hammer out an agreement. With just a month to…

With just 35 days to Brexit, a new survey from Enterprise Ireland reveals a worrying lack of customs preparedness by Irish companies. A survey by IHS Markit of 600 companies in Ireland, along with analysis of companies which have completed Enterprise Ireland’s Brexit Readiness Checker, shows that 52% of companies view customs and logistics as…

A new survey shows that the isolation of staff and a lack of cohesion of teams who are working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic are among the chief concerns of business leaders.  The survey from the Institute of Directors in Ireland shows that only 12% of respondents expressed concern about remote working productivity rates, which…

The Central Bank has today left its key rules on mortgage lending unchanged and also extended its relaxation of certain regulations on bank reserves into next year. However, the Governor of the Central Bank warned the situation facing the economy is still “very challenging” with “heightened uncertainty” over the implications of higher corporate and sovereign…

The line between work and home life has blurred for many over the past few months.  While there are countless benefits to remote working, turning your home environment into an office can make it harder to switch off at the end of the day.  With email and text alerts pinging on mobile phones and other…

The European Central Bank has said if governments withdraw financial support from households and companies too early, it could “set back the economic recovery”.  In its latest Financial Stability Review published today, the ECB says “vulnerabilities in the corporate sector are increasing as the pandemic evolves”. This could “test the resilience of euro area banks…

Britain’s independent fiscal watchdog, the Office of Budget Responsibility, has said a no-deal Brexit at the end of this year will cut economic growth and increase unemployment. In addition to economic damage caused by Covid-19, which has already caused the biggest fall in UK economic output since 1709, it said a no-deal Brexit will also push up the…

A draft report from the Oireachtas Transport Committee has recommended that a traffic light system for countries outside the EU be developed before Christmas. The draft report, on issues affecting the aviation industry, has recommended 19 actions in total. It is due to be formally published later this week. Among the changes recommended is to…