Archive for January 2026

The US dollar strengthened against a broad range of currencies, rebounding from a four-year low reached in the previous session, after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated that the United States continues to favour a strong dollar. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Bessent said a strong dollar policy is rooted in maintaining sound economic fundamentals. He…

Vhi has confirmed that it will raise the cost of its health insurance policies by an average of 3% from the beginning of March, marking the third price adjustment within a 12-month period. The insurer estimates that the increase will add between €35 and €160 to the annual premium for each adult, depending on the…

The US dollar remained under pressure near its weakest levels in almost four years, following comments from President Donald Trump that were widely interpreted by markets as dismissive of the currency’s recent decline. The remarks fuelled further selling of the dollar and supported gains in the yen, euro and sterling, ahead of a closely watched…

A growing number of consumers believe tipping is shifting away from being a voluntary gesture, according to new research published by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The study found that almost two thirds of people feel tipping has become less voluntary, while three out of four want businesses to make it easier to…

At KAAS we know every business owner wants to improve performance and increase profitability, but without clear comparisons, it is difficult to know how well your business is really doing. Benchmarking provides that clarity. It allows you to measure your company’s performance against industry standards or competitors, revealing both strengths and weaknesses. When used strategically,…

Fully electric vehicles outsold petrol cars in the European Union for the first time in December, marking a significant shift in the region’s car market, according to new figures released by the European automotive industry. Data from European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association shows that battery electric vehicles moved ahead of petrol-powered cars during the month, even…

Around one in ten job advertisements in Ireland now reference artificial intelligence, according to new research from Indeed. The findings place Ireland ahead of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, underlining the scale and influence of the technology sector within the Irish economy. While AI references remain most common in technology-related roles,…

Bank of Ireland has trimmed its forecast for economic growth in 2026, pointing to a slightly slower pace of expansion than previously expected. In its latest economic outlook, the bank now expects Gross Domestic Product to increase by 2.8% this year, compared with an earlier projection of 3.1%. GDP figures capture activity from multinational firms…

Companies supported by Enterprise Ireland recorded a net increase of 2,938 jobs last year, bringing total employment across its client base to 232,425, according to the agency’s latest annual report. The figures show that employment growth remained broadly regional, with 69% of new roles created in 2025 located outside the Dublin region. All nine regions…

Few workplace ideas have gained as much traction as the notion of generational difference. Baby Boomers are often portrayed as loyal and hierarchical, Millennials as purpose-driven, and Gen Z as seeking flexibility and constant feedback. In sectors under pressure, particularly healthcare, these labels have become shorthand explanations for disengagement and high staff turnover. Managers are…