Business News

VAT for catering, hairdressing to be cut from 13.5% to 9%

7th October 2025

The Government is reducing the VAT rate for food and catering businesses, and for hairdressing services from 13.5% down to 9%. The measure will come into effect from 1 July next year, and will cost €232m for 2026 and €681m in a full year. This VAT reduction is in line with a commitiment in the […]

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Budget 2026: LOI academies to receive €3m in funding

7th October 2025

League of Ireland academies are set to receive €3m in funding from the Government. The details of Budget 2026 will be revealed later, but RTÉ Sport understands that the funding will fall short of the €4.45m requested by the FAI in their pre-budget submission. The administration of the multiannual funding is expected to come through […]

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Minimum wage set to increase to €14.15 an hour in 2026

7th October 2025

The Minister for Finance has announced that as of 1 January 2026, the national minimum wage will increase by €0.65 per hour to €14.15 per hour. Linked to that, the ceiling for the USC 2% rate band will be increased by €1,318 to €28,700. “This increase will ensure that full-time workers on the minimum wage […]

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Govt to cut VAT rate on apartment sales from 13.5% to 9%

7th October 2025

The Government will reduce the VAT rate on the sale of completed apartments to 9% from 13.5%, from tonight until the end of December 2030. Announcing Budget 2026, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said this reduction will help address the “viability gap” in apartment construction. He said it is part of a social policy to […]

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Bitcoin hits record high above $125,000

7th October 2025

Bitcoin reached a new record high yesterday, rising above the $125,000 mark. The cryptocurrency reached $125,689, shooting above its previous August record of around $124,500. Bitcoin has enjoyed a strong upward momentum with investors cautious about the US government shutdown. Gains in US shares have also supported bitcoin’s rise, while investors have looked to safe […]

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Bitcoin hits record high above $125,000

7th October 2025

Bitcoin reached a new record high yesterday, rising above the $125,000 mark. The cryptocurrency reached $125,689, shooting above its previous August record of around $124,500. Bitcoin has enjoyed a strong upward momentum with investors cautious about the US government shutdown. Gains in US shares have also supported bitcoin’s rise, while investors have looked to safe […]

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Govt to unveil ‘pro-investment’ Budget, minimum wage rise

7th October 2025

The Government is going to unveil a “pro-investment” Budget this afternoon with limited benefits for middle income workers. There will be a €10 increase in the State Pension and social welfare rates. There will be 860 additional special education teachers and 1,700 new special needs assistants. The Basic Income for artists of €325 per week […]

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Budget 2026: €10 rise in State pension and welfare rates expected

7th October 2025

A €10 increase in the State pension and Social Protection rates is expected in today’s Budget. The Budget will also see mortgage interest relief, which has benefitted more than 60,000 householders, extended for another year before being gradually phased out in 2027. The income disregard for the Carer’s Allowance, a big issue for the Independents […]

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Regional hospitality businesses say ‘almost impossible to make profit’

6th October 2025

Hospitality businesses in the north west region have said it is becoming almost impossible to make a profit given rising costs in the sector. Garry and Mairead Anderson employ more than 30 people during the summer season in Killybegs at their seafood shack and restaurant overlooks the town’s harbour. “This year, our turnover is up […]

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Local Property Tax likely to increase next year for most homeowners

6th October 2025

Local Property Tax (LPT) is likely to increase next year for the majority of homeowners. Revenue have begun the process of writing to the 1.5 million homeowners in the country, asking them to re-evaluate their property’s value. This re-evaluation will be used to determine the amount of Local Property Tax homeowners will pay for the […]

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