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The food service sector in Ireland will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 at the earliest, according to a new report by Bord Bia. While the value of the sector increased by 14.6% this year, the Irish food promotion board said it remains 41% lower than pre-pandemic turnover levels. Bord Bia said it expects…

Over 40% of first time buyers used gifts as part of their deposit in the first half of this year, according to new figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The latest housing market monitor shows that the median deposit for first time buyers was over €52,000 during that period. Meanwhile, the median deposit…

Two new reports from the Economic and Social Research Institute examine the flow of trade in services between Ireland and Northern Ireland and the factors influencing foreign direct investment in both jurisdictions. These are the first two reports to be published by the ESRI as part of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative. It is part…

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will have five rates when it reopens to new entrants laid off as a result of the latest Government Covid-19 restrictions from tomorrow. The top rate will be €350 and will be available to those earning €400 or more a week. Those who received wages between €300 and €399 prior…

The deficit in 2021 now looks set to fall to as low as €5 billion to €6 billion – only 1-1.5% of GDP – according to an economist. Conall MacCoille, chief economist at Davy, said that would amount to one of the smallest deficits in the OECD. His outlook is based on the latest exchequer…

The National Public Health Emergency Team is believed to be considering a range of curbs on the hospitality sector tonight, with the aim of reducing transmission of Covid-19. The measures being assessed are thought to include eliminating the capacity of people to book multiple tables, and also reducing numbers to six people per table. It…

The Revenue Commissioners have said there have been examples of “absolutely fraudulent behaviour” in relation to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). Chairman Niall Cody said these cases have been referred to gardaí and in the context of the overall money paid out, they are very small. However, he said Revenue was very concerned and…

A health cover analyst has said a cut in the stamp duty rate on private health insurance is likely to be offset by a rise in premiums next year. Dermot Goode, from Total Health Cover said the Government looks set to implement a reduction in stamp duty that will reduce policy costs from €35 to…

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is confident the euro zone’s recovery can be sustained into next year even if the Omicron coronavirus variant requires new public health measures, he told the Reuters Next conference today. Mr Donohoe is also the head of the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers. Paschal Donohoe said his confidence was based…

The unemployment rate, including people receiving temporary Covid-19 jobless benefits, fell to 6.9% in November from 7.9% in October, the latest Central Statistics Office figures show today. The CSO said this measure of unemployment had stood at 20.4% the same time last year. Excluding those on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, which will be withdrawn in…