Search Results for 'OECD'

UK buyers are fixing their sights on Irish property on foot of strong sterling values against the euro and soaring property prices over there. While a 15 per cent increase in house prices here last year might have threatened to put some buyers off, the OECD has described Irish property as undervalued and by as much as 60 per cent in some rural locations. The value of sterling is also a driving factor, with a €500,000 property now £26,041 cheaper than it would have been a year earlier.

Following Ireland’s exit from the EU/IMF recovery programme and in the context of projected GDP growth of 4.7 per cent for 2014 and 3.9 per cent for 2015, Ministers Noonan and Howlin announced their budgetary measures for 2015 which have been set out below. More detail will be included in the Finance Bill to be published later this month.

In the ten year period, commencing in 2001, the Social Protection budget increased by 266 per cent. The cumulative rate of inflation in that period was a mere 30 per cent.

Castlebar Electoral Area candidate, Lisa Chambers, has demanded increased support for working families to help them to deal with spiralling childcare costs. The 2011 General Election candidate said: “Unless the issue of childcare costs is addressed, particularly for lower income families, we will see a much greater number of children being cared for through private arrangements. But private childcare is totally unregulated, with no qualifications needed, no inspections, and no specific standards required. We need to ensure that crèches and pre-schools, which are regulated, are affordable options for more families.”

Local Election pressure was eveident this week after a first-time candidate criticised his outgoing competitors following a vote to maintain the zoning status on a parcel of land in direct contravention of expert advice.

Going for Growth, an Irish programme which helps ambitious women entrepreneurs grow their business, is launching a call out for women entrepreneurs in Galway to apply for its 2014 programme.

Against the background of tough budgets in recent years, Ministers Noonan and Howlin framed their speeches in the context of preparing the country to exit the EU/IMF recovery programme and the creation of jobs in a range of sectors. Set out below is an outline of the main measures announced. More detail will be included in the Finance Bill which is to be published next month.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has said the OECD report published must wake the government up from its complacency over the jobs crisis, in particular the deeply worrying levels of long-term unemployment and youth unemployment.

US Companies in Ireland are currently seeking over 2,500 people to fill vacant positions in their companies, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland’s annual Workforce Activation Survey shows.

The Irish Organic Weedkiller official opening celebrations begin 3.30pm tomorrow in Claregalway Corporate Park where Galway entrepreneur Oisín Concannon has established the award winning Irish Organic Weedkiller product range.