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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Revealed: Vast majority of public supports long-delayed new mandatory pension scheme
The new auto-enrolment pension, called My Future Fund, is due to begin from January after more than two decades of promises to launch such a scheme. Now a survey has found that over eight in 10 Irish adults believe it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the new pension scheme. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide by Ask Acorn, a national network of financial intermediaries. Under auto-enrolment, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme would automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. However, the research suggests they are unlikely to do so. Almost nine in 10 of those eligible for auto-enrolment say they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Financial experts said the findings showed a strong appetite for the scheme and signalled a positive shift towards broader pension coverage. But Ask Acorn experts warned that this could lead some workers to a false sense of financial security. Ask Acorn CEO Keith Butler said: 'People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a 'job done' moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs.' Last week, Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary launched a national awareness campaign for My Future Fund. Mr Butler said the Government should be encouraged by the feedback from the research. ADVERTISEMENT 'Even more important than the fact that so many support the fairness of the auto-enrolment itself is the fact that so many of those eligible plan to remain in the scheme,' he said. 'If nothing else, these results should be viewed by those with responsibility for the rollout as a compelling reason to ensure there are no further delays.' The rollout of the scheme has been subjected to repeated delays over the last two decades. Mr Butler said My Future Fund would be a good fit for many, especially those who have not yet thought seriously about pensions. 'But for others, particularly those with different income levels, career paths or retirement goals, auto-enrolment could fall short of delivering the retirement they're expecting. 'Workers should absolutely be proactive in taking some advice to determine whether auto-enrolment is truly the right vehicle for their needs, or whether the rollout is just the prompt they need to take action around their financial plans for the future.' The survey, conducted by iReach, found that four in 10 Irish adults believe it is 'very fair' that workers would be automatically enrolled to the pension scheme. A further four in 10 described it as 'somewhat fair'. One in six feel the compulsory enrolment of workers to the scheme is either 'somewhat' or 'very' unfair. The youngest age cohort surveyed are the most likely to feel it is 'very unfair' to automatically sign workers up to the scheme. Mr Butler said the findings indicated there was an obvious demand and need for the scheme. One-third of Irish workers have no pension coverage outside the state pension.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Revealed: How vast majority of public supports long-delayed new mandatory pension scheme
The new auto-enrolment pension, called My Future Fund, is due to begin from January after more than two decades of promises to launch such a scheme. Now a survey has found that over eight in 10 Irish adults believe it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the new pension scheme. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide by Ask Acorn, a national network of financial intermediaries. Under auto-enrolment, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme would automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. However, the research suggests they are unlikely to do so. Almost nine in 10 of those eligible for auto-enrolment say they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Financial experts said the findings showed a strong appetite for the scheme and signalled a positive shift towards broader pension coverage. But Ask Acorn experts warned that this could lead some workers to a false sense of financial security. Ask Acorn CEO Keith Butler said: 'People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a 'job done' moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs.' Last week, Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary launched a national awareness campaign for My Future Fund. Mr Butler said the Government should be encouraged by the feedback from the research. ADVERTISEMENT 'Even more important than the fact that so many support the fairness of the auto-enrolment itself is the fact that so many of those eligible plan to remain in the scheme,' he said. 'If nothing else, these results should be viewed by those with responsibility for the rollout as a compelling reason to ensure there are no further delays.' The rollout of the scheme has been subjected to repeated delays over the last two decades. Mr Butler said My Future Fund would be a good fit for many, especially those who have not yet thought seriously about pensions. 'But for others, particularly those with different income levels, career paths or retirement goals, auto-enrolment could fall short of delivering the retirement they're expecting. 'Workers should absolutely be proactive in taking some advice to determine whether auto-enrolment is truly the right vehicle for their needs, or whether the rollout is just the prompt they need to take action around their financial plans for the future.' The survey, conducted by iReach, found that four in 10 Irish adults believe it is 'very fair' that workers would be automatically enrolled to the pension scheme. A further four in 10 described it as 'somewhat fair'. One in six feel the compulsory enrolment of workers to the scheme is either 'somewhat' or 'very' unfair. The youngest age cohort surveyed are the most likely to feel it is 'very unfair' to automatically sign workers up to the scheme. Mr Butler said the findings indicated there was an obvious demand and need for the scheme. One-third of Irish workers have no pension coverage outside the state pension.
BreakingNews.ie
03-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Nearly half of adults in Ireland say govt response to Palestine has been good, research shows
46 per cent of adults in Ireland think the response of the Irish government to the war in Palestine has been good, with 10 per cent of those thinking it's been very good, according to a new survey from iReach. Over half (53 per cent) of males in Ireland think the response of the Irish government to the war in Palestine has been good, versus 40 per cent of females in Ireland. Advertisement 60 per cent of respondents believe that Ireland should take a stronger public stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. This number is highest for adults aged 25-34, with 75 per cent thinking that Ireland should take a stronger public stance. In terms of providing humanitarian support, 75 per cent of adults would like to see Ireland provide aid, 62 per cent feel they should provide diplomacy, and 38 per cent think they should provide refugee support. 83 per cent of adults aged 18-24 think Ireland should provide aid and 57 per cent think they should provide refugee support. 65 per cent of adults feel impacted by the ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank, with 25 per cent of these feeling very impacted.
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Most people see Father's Day as a commercial event, but like celebrating it anyway
Today at 21:30 Most people consider Father's Day as a commercial invention, but despite this huge numbers still take the opportunity to honour their dads. And 'Have you asked your mother?' has emerged as the favourite Irish dad saying. Father's Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday of June – tomorrow. About €57m is expected to be spent by children on their dads tomorrow, according to research carried out by market research company iReach. One in two adults told researchers they will celebrate Father's Day and do something special for their dads. Of those who celebrate Father's Day, the majority plan to give their dads presents. A minority said they might even receive a present from their dad, while nearly half of those who buy presents will get a Father's Day card. One in four sons or daughters will take their dad out for dinner. Researchers found 53pc of adults think Father's Day is a commercial invention, but feel it is still good to celebrate it. Only 15pc of respondents think the day is overly commercial and should not be celebrated. Large numbers of respondents said their favourite Irish father saying is: 'Have you asked your mother?' Other favourites recounted by sons and daughters included: 'Were you born in a barn?' Another popular dad saying is: 'As long as you're living under my roof....' More than half of adults questioned think fathers should be more honoured by society in general. A large number think fathers should be more celebrated by the media in Ireland. More than half of adults think fathers should be more supported, but only when there is gender equality for parents in Ireland, according to the survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 people. Restaurants, wine shops and sock retailers all heavily promote Father's Day. Among the most common gifts people expect to buy for Father's Day are alcohol, food and a meal out. To avoid excessive expense, finance experts have advised sons and daughters to club together with their other siblings or mothers to buy one meaningful gift. With a day out being the gift that fathers most commonly want, consider looking out for offers on experience days, local attractions or events They said a homemade meal, baked goods or a hand-crafted gift can be more thoughtful – and more affordable – than store-bought options. Sons and daughters have also been advised to look for discounts on 'experiences'. With a day out being the gift that fathers most commonly want, consider looking out for offers on experience days, local attractions or events. The idea of having a Father's Day is understood to have begun in America, but it has since become a tradition in Ireland and the UK. Father's Day, as we know it, originated in the US in 1910. Over time, the tradition spread, and by 1972 it was officially recognised in the US. Ireland and the UK followed suit, adopting the same date. The idea was successfully prompted in 1909 by a daughter who, along with her five brothers, was raised by her widower American Civil War veteran, according to The Economic Times.
BreakingNews.ie
30-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Half of Irish adults say their DIY skills are ‘well below par', survey reveals
Nearly half of the Irish population (49 per cent) rate their DIY abilities at two stars or less, whilst over one in 10 (12 per cent) admit to having zero skills when it comes to home maintenance, a new survey has revealed. The nationwide survey, commissioned by insurance broker Gallagher in Ireland and conducted by iReach among 1,000 Irish adults, has revealed that there is a sizeable cohort of the general public (36 per cent) who are 'distinctly average' in the DIY department, awarding themselves just three out of five stars for their skills around the home. Advertisement The Gallagher poll paints a picture of an Ireland where confidence with tools is very much split along gender and generational lines. Commenting on the findings, head of personal lines at Gallagher in Ireland, Geraldine Kelly, said: 'Judging by our survey feedback, the perception that DIY is a male-dominated space still rings true to some extent. "What's really striking here is the gender gap in self-assessed ability – nearly 60 per cent of women rated themselves as two stars or less, compared to just 41 per cent of men. Whether that points to a lack of confidence or ability in women is up for debate'. Gallagher's survey asked individuals to rank how adept they are at basic home maintenance and improvement tasks such as hanging shelves, assembling furniture, fixing minor leaks, painting, and general upkeep. Advertisement While many of these jobs seem manageable, the risk of causing accidental damage can increase significantly without the right skills or equipment, Gallagher said. Other key findings from the survey include: Only 3 per cent of adults see themselves as master-level DIYers (5-star); 12 per cent believe they have earned a 4-star rating; Men were four times more likely than women to rate themselves 5-star (4 per cent vs. 1 per cent) and twice as likely to consider themselves 4-star DIYers (16 per cent vs. 8 per cent); 20 per cent of women awarded themselves a lowly 1-star, compared to just 9 per cent of men. 'There seems to be a confidence divide at play,' Kelly said. 'Whether it's exposure, education, or tradition, men are more likely to back themselves with a spanner. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're doing better jobs!' Age Those aged 35–44 emerged as the most confident cohort, with 18 per cent rating themselves either 4 or 5 stars – well ahead of the 11 per cent in the younger 25–34 group. Advertisement By contrast, 32 per cent of those over 55 said they were either a 1-star or zero-star DIYer. 'It might surprise some people to learn that those with most life experience are the least likely to believe in their own DIY skills. However, it might only be a reflection of changing lifestyles,' Kelly said. 'Older generations may be less physically inclined to take on DIY, or perhaps they're more inclined to hire professionals. Meanwhile, the 35–44 age group are often in the thick of homeownership, parenting, and maintenance'. Experts at Gallagher said they are keen to caution that no matter how good you think your skills are, it is important to understand the potential risks involved in even simple home maintenance jobs. Kelly said: 'Homeowners should be mindful that general upkeep is their responsibility, and neglecting it can lead to more serious, and costly, issues over time. In many cases, calling a professional may be the safer and more cost-effective option. "A cautious approach is a smart one. DIY can be rewarding but knowing when to step back and call a professional could save you a lot of stress, and money, in the long run'.
