News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

A decline in mortgage approvals in November 2025, but first-time buyer mortgages hit record levels - BPFI

Slowdown in mortgage approvals end of 2025 – BPFI

The latest figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland indicate a moderate decline in the number of mortgage approvals. A total of 4,251 mortgages were approved in November 2025, a decrease of 11.1% month-on-month and a 3.4% decline compared with the same period last year.

Business • 07 Jan

A viewpoint over O Connell Bridge and Dublin City

Economy to grow faster than expected this year - Goodbody

The Irish economy will grow faster than anticipated this year as impact of US tariffs will not be as damaging as feared and the country "dodged a bullet" on US corporation tax changes, according to a new report by Goodbody Stockbrokers.

Business • 22 Oct 25

Reducing immigration unlikely to help housing crisis

The bedrock of any Government's planning is demographics and the number of people living in a country and a reliable forecast for population growth are vital.

Business • 30 Aug 25

Builders have been encouraged to start work on housing because a waiver on paying a development levy expires at the end of 2024

Home commencements up 62% in October - Dept of Housing

Work started on 4,249 homes last month, which represents an increase of 62% on October 2023, according to official figures from the Department of Housing.

Business • 21 Nov 24

'Embarrassment of riches' should be spent on housing

The chief economist at stockbroker Goodbody said he supports a proposed new capital spending stabilisation fund for the country's "embarrassment of riches".

Business • 20 Jul 23

Goodbody forecasts consumer price inflation will slow to an average 5.6% this year

Ireland to avoid recession in 2023 report predicts

Ireland will avoid recession this year, due to record household savings and the capacity for the Government to provide support with what a report describes as "the best budget position in the euro area".

Business • 23 Jan 23

Goodbody said the viability of apartment construction has been compromised by increased construction costs and yields recently

Housing starts slow by 31% in October from last year

The number of new housing starts continued to slow last month, according to new figures from the Department of Housing.

Business • 21 Nov 22

The pound fell against the dollar following the resignation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Health

Will Boris Johnson's resignation affect the UK economy?

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to resign as Conservative party leader but will stay as Prime Minister until a successor is in place. Will it affect the UK economy?

Business • 07 Jul 22

After the peak, it expects inflation to average out at 7.8% this year before falling to an average of 4.2% next year

Central Bank warns inflation could peak at over 10%

The Central Bank has warned that inflation could peak in the coming months at over 10% but should start to decline after that.

Business • 07 Jul 22

Irish economic growth is the second highest in the euro area

Swift rebound in spending forecast in Irish economy

A swift rebound in consumer and business spending is in prospect for 2022 as almost all pandemic restrictions come to an end, according to Goodbody's latest quarterly outlook.

Business • 24 Jan 22

The number of new homes completed this year is likely to be on a par with 2020 - but still well below the level required to meet demand

Government 'needs to examine role in property supply'

The Government needs to look at its role in the limited availability of housing for would-be buyers, according to the chief economist of Goodbody Stockbrokers.

Business • 07 May 21

There are separate calls for a state backed loan scheme for businesses and a state agency to support SMEs

Calls for enhanced support for businesses

Stockbroker Goodbody is calling for the introduction of a state backed loan scheme to help struggling businesses cope with the aftermath of the shutdown of the economy to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Business • 22 May 20

Construction sites were closed in the latter half of March due to Covid-19 restrictions

Almost 5,000 new homes built in first quarter - CSO

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that a total of 4,986 new homes were completed in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 17.2% on the same time last year.

Business • 07 May 20

New home completions were up 6% at 4,500 units in the first three months of 2020 but are now expected to fall sharply for the full year

Home completions slowing pre-Covid 19 restrictions

Growth in house building activity had slowed before the onset of the Covid-19 construction closures, according to the latest tracker from Goodbody Stockbrokers.

Business • 21 Apr 20

The latest Live Register figures, due out today, are expected to show that 482,000 people are now claiming unemplyment payments

Unemployment rate may rise to 17% in March - Goodbody

The number of people receiving unemployment benefit is set to rise by around 300,000 for the month of March as a direct result of the Covid-19 shutdown, according to a report from Goodbody Stockbrokers.

Business • 02 Apr 20

According to the BPFI, first-time buyers accounted for almost half of new mortgage borrowing between April and June

Mortgage drawdowns increase in second quarter - BPFI

There were 9,339 new mortgage drawdowns with a total value of over €2 billion in the three months to June, latest figures from the Banking & Payments Federation (BPFI) show.

Business • 25 Jul 18

Based on Building Energy Ratings, 5,377 houses were completed in 2016

House tracker shows supply below official estimates

The chief economist with Goodbody, Dermot O'Leary, has said he believes the official numbers of new house builds are being significantly overstated.

Business • 02 Oct 17

Bus Éireann cuts are part of a survival plan aimed at securing savings of €30 million per year

Unions at Bus Éireann serve strike notice

Bus Éireann unions have formally served notice of all out indefinite strike action from 20 February if the company proceeds with planned cuts to pay and conditions on that date.

News • 03 Feb 17

Unions are demanding a basic increase of 15% over three years

Dublin Bus workers announce 13 more strike days

Dublin Bus has said the announcement by unions of 13 additional strike days over the next six weeks is "unnecessary and unjustified" and will continue to cause significant disruption to its customers and trade in Dublin city.

News • 15 Sep 16

94% of those balloted backed industrial action over planned changes to Expressway service

NBRU votes for industrial action at Bus Éireann

Bus Éireann staff belonging to the National Bus and Rail Union have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action amid fears the company is planning changes at its Expressway service.

News • 01 Feb 16

Dermot OLeary