Author: Gill Stedman
In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), just over 15,000 new EVs have been sold in Ireland this year, reflecting a decline of over 25% compared to last year. The latest data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) shows that 1,259 new EVs were registered last month, down over 29% from August 2020. The Volkswagen ID.4 has emerged as the top-selling new EV model, with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y close behind. Despite the challenges, SIMI is advocating for increased Government support for EVs in Budget 2025 to drive the transition faster. With David…
Is it fair for employers in Ireland to pay those under 20 less than older colleagues? The debate over sub-minimum wages for young workers has gained attention, with arguments for and against the practice. While some argue that lower wages for young people encourage employment, others believe in equal pay for equal work regardless of age. The minimum wage in Ireland is currently €12.70 per hour, with age-based sub-minimum rates allowed for workers under 20. However, research shows that only a small percentage of employees in Ireland are paid these lower rates. The Low Pay Commission has recommended abolishing sub-minimum…
Small and medium-sized businesses fell victim to email-related scams, losing nearly €10 million last year. Reported cases from SMEs rose by almost 25% compared to the previous year, with companies losing an average of €12,000 each, according to FraudSMART. The majority of scams involved ‘invoice-redirection scams’, where fraudsters tricked businesses into changing bank details for payments. CEO impersonation fraud is also on the rise, with emails pretending to be from senior staff requesting urgent payments. FraudSMART and ISME are urging SMEs to be vigilant and implement measures to safeguard against scams. Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, emphasized the importance of…
New Electric Car Sales in Ireland See a Decline in May Just over 1,000 new electric cars were sold in Ireland in May, marking a decrease of over 39% compared to the same month last year. This decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales has been consistent for four consecutive months. According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), a total of just over 10,000 new EVs have been registered across the country so far this year, down almost 22% from the same period in 2023. Petrol cars continue to dominate the market, followed by diesel, hybrid, electric, and…