logo
Public policymaking must be sped up and red tape cut, summit will hear

Public policymaking must be sped up and red tape cut, summit will hear

Irish Timesa day ago
Ireland needs to speed up public policymaking, reduce red tape and delays in planning, boost innovation and invest in
AI
, the Government's second annual competitiveness summit will be told on Monday morning.
The event will be attended by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste as well as the economic and budget Ministers, and will be addressed by
Frances Ruane
, chair of the
National Competitiveness and Productivity Council
, on the key challenges facing the country as the world enters an unpredictable and uncertain age.
The
IDA
and
Enterprise Ireland
will also brief the political leaders on the needs of their client companies.
Minister for Enterprise
Peter Burke
will tell Cabinet colleagues that major investment in certain areas is needed to ensure Ireland does not lose out on the jobs of the future, identifying a number of key areas to retain and attract foreign direct investment.
READ MORE
As well as speeding up policymaking, the conference will hear that Ireland needs to reduce the administrative burden on SMEs, boost the use of modern methods of construction to speed up building projects, spend more on research, especially on AI, and simplify the regulatory environment for businesses.
Government sources say that a consistent message in a series of meetings held by the Taoiseach with multinationals has been that the EU is falling behind on AI because of over-regulation.
The Tánaiste, meanwhile, will tell the summit that the focus is on working constructively to protect Irish jobs and investment.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Should we buy a home with a better Ber, or look for something cheaper and retrofit?
Should we buy a home with a better Ber, or look for something cheaper and retrofit?

Irish Times

time37 minutes ago

  • Irish Times

Should we buy a home with a better Ber, or look for something cheaper and retrofit?

My wife and I are looking to buy our first house in Cork. We've looked at homes with a range of energy ratings but aren't sure what is the best value. Is it good value to get a home at a lower rating and bring it up to a higher Ber rating? At some point we will probably try to buy a bigger home and so we also want to make sure the property will have a good resale value. Any advice you have on choosing a home with a higher Ber vs retrofitting would be greatly appreciated. Buying your first home is such an exciting time – but with it comes plenty of tricky decisions. Your question about the Ber (Building Energy Rating) is a very relevant one, and something we're hearing more and more from buyers. With energy costs rising and sustainability on everyone's radar, it's no surprise that energy efficiency is playing a bigger role in property decisions. Buying a lower Ber home and retrofitting Homes with a lower Ber – typically rated C, D or below – often come with a lower purchase price, which can be appealing to first-time buyers. If you're prepared to take on some work, retrofitting the property can be a great way to improve energy performance over time. Upgrades such as improved insulation, high-performance windows, modern heating systems, and solar panels can dramatically increase your home's comfort and efficiency. Better yet, there are grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which can help offset some of these costs. To learn more, visit the official website: – it's a fantastic resource for understanding what grants you may qualify for and how to apply. READ MORE That said, retrofitting isn't for everyone. Depending on the scope of work, costs can range from €20,000 to €60,000 or more, and the process can be disruptive and time-consuming. For big retrofit projects, you will need to find alternative accommodation so don't forget to factor that into your plans. If you're planning to stay in the home for several years, it can pay off in the long run – especially if the works are done to a high standard and well documented. Choosing a higher Ber home upfront Alternatively, a home with a Ber of B2 or better offers many advantages right from the start. These homes are more energy-efficient, comfortable, and often eligible for green mortgage products, which offer lower interest rates. You'll also avoid the hassle and potential risk of undertaking big retrofit works. In terms of resale value, homes with higher Ber ratings tend to sell faster and for stronger prices. As you've mentioned that you may move again in the future, this is a key point. Buyers are becoming more conscious of running costs, and energy ratings are an increasingly important factor in their decisions. A balanced approach That said, don't let the Ber rating become the only deciding factor. Other considerations are just as important when choosing your first home, including: Location – proximity to work, schools, family and public transport; Layout and size – does it suit your current lifestyle and potential plans? Orientation and outdoor space – for example, a bright south-facing garden can improve daily living; Structural condition – always check that the basics (roof, wiring, plumbing) are sound. Generally, purchasing a home with a higher Ber is preferable to buying a lower-rated home and retrofitting, as it offers immediate energy-efficiency benefits. However, the best choice depends on your budget, long-term goals, and the specific condition of the property. Consider consulting with energy-efficiency experts and professionals to assess your specific needs and determine the most appropriate path for you Majella Galvin is an estate agent and a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland Do you have a query? Email propertyquestions@ This column is a readers' service. The content of the Property Clinic is provided for general information only. It is not intended as advice on which readers should rely. Professional or specialist advice should be obtained before people take or refrain from any action on the basis of the content. The Irish Times and it contributors will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on any content

Selling pensions in the summer sun
Selling pensions in the summer sun

Irish Times

time37 minutes ago

  • Irish Times

Selling pensions in the summer sun

Peak holiday season might not have been the best time to finally launch an information campaign on the mandatory workplace pension scheme that will affect about 800,000 workers next year. With schools off and the sun shining, pensions are presumably even farther from the mind than usual for the roughly two in three private sector employees who, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary says, have made no provision for their retirement beyond the State pension. Only a Government department could confidently promise a 'multimedia advertising campaign will further inform people about how the new system will work, who can participate and what it will mean for them' when most of the target audience is disengaged from work , never mind pensions. Informing from scratch about the so-called My Future Fund, rather than 'further' informing, would appear to be required if a survey from just three months ago is to be believed. It found that four out of five Irish workers had no idea of the details of scheme. READ MORE A more recent poll showed that half of small and medium businesses – those with fewer than 50 staff – who are most likely to be affected by the new regime are not prepared at all for auto-enrolment. In reality, workers are not likely to tune in much before schools return in late August or September, leaving a very small window if they are to be successfully onboarded to the new regime by the start of the new year . That is the latest of many deadlines for the scheme that will deduct pension contributions from the wages of everyone between the ages of 23 and 60 who is earning more than €20,000 and isn't already contributing to a supplementary pension. 'I believe that My Future Fund will transform how people save for their retirement,' the Minister said. 'This landmark policy will help hundreds of thousands of hardworking people in Ireland put money aside for their life after work.' That's very true but if the Department of Social Protection wants those workers to buy into a scheme that will, in the shorter term, reduce their take-home pay to help ensure greater 'financial freedom' in the longer term, there's a lot of detailed messaging to be done. Better to start now than never. But if the department doesn't want a sheaf of negative headlines and outrage on the air with whomever replaces Joe Duffy, this information campaign will need to run for the next five months across every media platform – particularly social media – and the messaging will need to be kept very simple. That'd be a first for pensions.

Taking time out for children can hit your State pension: Here's how to close the gap
Taking time out for children can hit your State pension: Here's how to close the gap

Irish Times

time42 minutes ago

  • Irish Times

Taking time out for children can hit your State pension: Here's how to close the gap

It's a no-brainer; the state pension is currently worth about €15,000 a year, and is one of the few welfare payments governments always try to increase in the annual budget. And yet, women still lag behind men when it comes to receiving the weekly payment at the maximum rate. This means a poorer life in retirement. 'All the inequalities women face throughout their working life, such as lower average earnings and the gender pay gap – all of that is exacerbated in older age,' says Donal Swan, women's economic equality coordinator at the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI). Indeed, while the gender pay gap may be of the order of about 10 per cent, the gender pension gap remains 'stubbornly' high, at about 30 per cent. This means that the typical woman then has 30 per cent less of an income in retirement than a typical man. READ MORE [ The motherhood penalty: 'Once they're in bed, you log back on at 9pm or 10pm and work' Opens in new window ] There have been positives on the pensions front of late, such as the introduction of the long-term carer's contributions scheme, which makes it easier for those who have been caring for long periods to qualify for a state pension. It is changing, says Tony Delaney, founder and CEO of SYS Financial, who notes that participation rates of women in the workforce have increased, which has a corresponding impact on state pension coverage rates. Moreover, the Government has committed, in the recent programme for government, to introducing changes to support women who fall outside the existing schemes to qualify for a state pension. But, while such tinkering is positive, 'it doesn't deal with the complexities of women's lives' says Swan. Time to take some action then, to try to narrow this gap and ensure a brighter financial future for yourself. 1. Check your entitlement The state pension is currently paid out at a weekly rate of €289.30. This means that if you qualify for the maximum rate, and you claim it from 66 until the age of 91, it will be worth about €376,000 to you. If you don't have enough contributions, you might qualify for a non-contributory pension (paid at a top rate of €278) but this is based on a means test, so will depend on your household's income. And it might be paid at a rate substantially less than the top rate. Figures from the Department of Social Protection show that it's still primarily women who get this payment. Indeed as of June 30th, there were 58,688 female recipients of this pension, or 59 per cent of claimants, compared with 40,993 male recipients. It's clear then, that regardless of the rhythms of your working life, you need to maximise your chances of getting this payment at the top level. It's worth keeping track of how your contributions are stacking up. You can do this by requesting your record through MyWelfare . 2. Get 40 years of credits This year marks the first time that pensions can be calculated on a total contributions approach (TCA). Introduced on a phased basis, it will supercede the current averaging approach by 2034. So, if you were born after 1968 (aged 57 or less), your pension will be based on the TCA. But what will this mean? Well, in short, to qualify for a full state pension under the new regime, you will need 40 years' contributions (2,080 or more PRSI contributions). In other words, you need to be working from the age of 22 through to 62 to qualify. And, while you can get credits for periods spent in the home caring for children (through the HomeCaring Periods scheme, for example; see below), such contributions can't exceed 20 years. So, let's say you have just 20 years of contributions – then you'll qualify for 50 per cent of the maximum pension, or €144.65 a week instead of €289.30, a substantial decrease on the top rate. The NCWI would like to see the time period lowered, so that you can access the full state pension based on 30 years of contributions. 'We're hopeful we can keep pushing Government and the Department [of Finance] to keep making changes where possible, to expand people's access to this,' says Swan. 3. Make sure you get credits for time out If you take time out of the workforce (for maternity or parental leave), your employer may continue to make pension contributions on your behalf. But what happens to your state pension? When it comes to the state pension, if you're not getting paid while on leave, then you won't be paying PRSI, which means you won't be building up credits for your state pension. Under the new regime, however, parents who take time out to care for their children can keep their PRSI record intact by applying for credits under the aforementioned HomeCaring Periods Scheme. If you get maternity benefit, you will get credits automatically. However, as this ends after 26 weeks, if you take a further 16 weeks' unpaid leave you will need to get your employer to complete the application form for maternity leave credits when you return to work. When it comes to parental leave, you should also be entitled to credits – but, again, you have to make sure your employer applies for these. Parents can take up to 26 weeks of parental leave, which is typically unpaid, for each child up to the age of 12. 4. Time out is good – but get back in the workforce if you can So far so good, but complications with getting the credits can arise if you subsequently opt to take a longer period of time out of the workforce. This is because, to qualify for a state pension – even at a reduced rate – you will need at least 10 years' paid contributions, and your home caring years can't exceed 20. And to get the full pension, you will need 40 years of contributions. So then, it may make sense for many women to return to the workforce once their children are grown up, to try to meet the requirements for a state pension. 5. Think about topping up your state pension Many stay-at-home parents turn to ad hoc work to boost their income while looking after their family – running a house account on Instagram is one such route, as is running a play group or after school activity. However, while family friendly, it's important to note that such earnings may not be working towards a state pension for you. If you are self-employed and earn less than €5,000 a year, you won't be paying S-class PRSI contributions, which means that you won't be building up a State pensions record. But, you can become a voluntary contributor for €650 (up from €500 to October 2025, and from €253 until 2013). This will boost your entitlement to a state pension. The challenge here, however, as Swan notes, is that if you're already on a low income, you may not have enough money. However, you can apply to pay in quarterly or half-yearly instalments during the contribution year. And, from a household perspective, it may make financial sense to get your partner, who may be working, to make the payment. You will need to have 520 paid contributions (ie 10 years) to qualify also. You can apply online using the Voluntary Contributions Application Form (VC1) . 6. Remember you may qualify for a pension through your spouse If you are married but don't qualify for a pension in your own right, you may be entitled to get an increase on your spouse's pension, known as a 'qualified adult' pension. This is offered at a lower rate of up to €259.40 a week. However, the payment is means tested, and some women may struggle with the concept of being dependent on their partner in retirement. They may also feel that their contribution to society is not being recognised. 'It's a real remnant of the era of that male breadwinner model,' says Swan. Indeed, until as recently as 2007, the 'qualified adult' payment went straight to the person claiming the state pension, so the spouse – in most cases a woman – had to then rely on their husband to give them the money. Instead, a bit like the current basic income scheme, which is being trialled among artists, the NWCI would like to see the introduction of a universal pension. While potentially costly, last year, Social Justice Ireland said the introduction of such a scheme could be funded by reducing the higher rate of tax relief on private pensions from 40 per cent to 20 per cent, and by increasing employers PRSI by 0.5 per cent. 'It would be a significant structural change,' says Swan, who adds that the current tax relief is 'disproportionately more valuable to men'. 'The way everyone contributes to society through their life is different,' he says.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store