James WIlson Journalist Profile

Articles

Cuts to solar grant 'not in interests of climate targets'

1 week ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

Looming cuts to solar grants are 'not in the interests of climate targets', the industry has claimed. Currently, people in Ireland installing solar panels receive a grant of up to €1,800 from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As the cost of solar technology declines, the Government has signalled the grant will be reduced accordingly. On Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam, Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power said he hopes Ministers can be persuaded to change their minds.
Demand for GPs to rise by at least 20% by 2040 - ESRI

1 week ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

Ireland’s growing and ageing population could increase demand for some aspects of GP services by more than a third, a new report by the ESRI has warned. Census 2022 found that the population of the Republic had hit 5 million - the first time such a large number of people had been recorded living in the 26 counties since the Great Famine. Immigration and longer life expectancy is forecast to see that figure increase further in the coming years.
Judicial reviews caused cancellation of thousands of new homes - expert

1 week ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

“Shocking” planning delays have led to the cancellation of thousands of new homes, a housing expert has claimed. The nation’s often slow and cumbersome planning system has been routinely blamed for the housing crisis. Last year, the Oireachtas passed the Planning and Development Act which then-Minister Darragh O’Brien overhauled the planning process to “to ensure it was fit for purpose”.
Father's Day gifts: Great ideas any Dad will love

2 weeks ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

Have you bought your Dad a present for Father’s Day yet? If not, you might want to get a move on as it’s this weekend. Newstalk's Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly has drawn up a list of gifts - ranging from the cheap and cheerful, to the pricey and heartfelt. On The Pat Kenny Show, Jess explained that the first idea was a photoframe, which she described as “very simple”.
'How homelessness happens' - Tenants will be 'incredibly vulnerable' after rent reform

2 weeks ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

Long-term tenants will be "incredibly vulnerable” to homelessness after the Government reforms Rent Pressure Zones, a housing expert has warned. Earlier this week, Ministers announced that Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) would be extended across the country - meaning a tenant’s rent cannot be increased by more than the rate of inflation or 2%, whichever is lower. However, they all proposed that landlords will be able to reset rents to market level at the end of each six year tenancy period.
Monitoring Turkey: Disinflation on track

2 weeks ago | think.ing.com | Muhammet Mercan |František Táborský |James WIlson |James Wilson

In May, central bank Governor Fatih Karahan held a meeting to introduce the second inflation report of the year and shared the latest inflation forecasts after the volatility in late March. Without any meaningful revision to those presented in the previous report, the CBT kept the inflation forecast unchanged at 24%, 12% and 8% for this year, 2026, and 2027, respectively.
Will Dublin's waste ever be collected without bin bags?

2 weeks ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

Is there any way waste can be collected in Dublin without the use of unsightly black bin bags? While most of the country long ago began using wheelie bins to dispose of their rubbish, some parts of Dublin continue to leave their rubbish out on the street in bin bags for collection - many of which are attacked and pillaged by ravenous seagulls. The reason for this is many of the older houses in the city centre have nowhere suitable to store rubbish.
J-1ers warned of 'massive increase' in US deportations - 'Just be aware'

1 month ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

J-1 students have been warned there has been a “massive increase” in the number of student visas revoked since the return of Donald Trump to power. The end of the academic year means thousands of J-1 students are preparing to head to America. However, while Joe Biden famously had a soft spot for the Irish, the new US administration has adopted a decidedly more hardline approach.
Young emigrate as average rents hit €2,000 - 'I’m one of the only ones left'

1 month ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

The average rent for a property in Ireland has surpassed €2,000 a month, according to new figures from Daft.ie. The property website revealed that rents rose by 3.4% in the first three months of 2025, bringing the average rent on the open market to €2,053 per month - nearly three times the €765 figure recorded in 2011. Over the 12-month period between March 2024 and this year, rents rose 5.6% compared to 8.6% in the rest of the country.
Should women get the week off for their period? 'What’s the alternative?'

1 month ago | newstalk.com | James WIlson |James Wilson

Should women get the week off work if they experience a painful period? Debate on the subject has been sparked after American model Bella Hadid suggested that, “We should literally ban women working on the week of their periodOn Newstalk Breakfast, journalist Olivia Petter said while there is “no realistic prospect” of women actually getting a whole week off work every menstrual cycle, she believes it is a subject still worth discussing.