Charlie Weston

1 week ago | independent.ie | Charlie Weston

It has led an opposition TD to accuse the Government of ‘cashing in’ on the cost-of-living crisis as energy bills increased. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has called for a review of the taxes on electricity, gas, home-heating oil, petrol and diesel after it emerged some taxes on energy and fuel have doubled. “The Government must urgently review fuel taxes on energy as figures show the Government is receiving over €4bn for the first time in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Tóibín said.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Charlie Weston

A 0.25 percentage point cut is expected, which would be the seventh consecutive reduction. ECB governors are tipped to slash interest rates deeper and faster than previously expected to fight off the risk of an economic slowdown in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariff blitz. Analysts said the anticipated rate cuts reflect concern for the wider economy, but the latest reduction holds out a promise of real relief for household and business borrowers.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Charlie Weston

Prices were up by 8pc in the 12 months to February. This is down from 8.2pc in the year to January, according to Central Statistics Office data for February. Property prices in Dublin rose by 7.1pc, and prices outside Dublin were up by 8.7pc compared with February last year. The median price of a dwelling purchased in the 12 months to February was €360,000.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Charlie Weston

Some 2.52 million now have cover, even though prices have gone up by as much as 26pc in the past year, according to the Health Insurance Authority (HIA). However, the rate of growth is slowing, with an increase in coverage of just 1.3pc between 2023 and last year. Some people are being forced to cancel their cover due to multiple price hikes making health insurance unaffordable. There has also been a further decrease in the number of children insured at 22pc.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Charlie Weston

The results of the survey emerged after Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said the long-awaited introduction of the auto-enrolment pension scheme would be delayed again. The scheme is to cover around 800,000 people who do not have a private pension, or one as part of their job, but its introduction has been repeatedly delayed. Mr Chambers said it was likely to be pushed back beyond the planned September introduction date.