By Emma Kerins, EU & International Affairs Manager Today’s January briefing on the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU was again hosted by European Movement Ireland in the Government Buildings. Addressing a full house, the Bulgarian Ambassador, Branimir Zaimov spoke of his country’s objectives and intentions as part of their Presidency, their very
By Emma Kerins, EU & International Affairs Manager Last week, Chambers Ireland was invited to address a symposium on the gender pay gap, hosted by the Department of Justice and Equality in Iveagh House. Speaking on a panel that included Emily Logan of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Senator Ivan Bacik, representatives of
Earlier this month, Government launched their “It Starts Now” campaign which aims to inform parents of €19m in Extra Supports for families. As part of the awareness campaign, Government announced its intention to fund an additional 5,000 childcare spaces for school ages children and increase capital funding by 33% to €4 million. The implementation of the childcare provisions
by Emma Kerins, International Affairs Executive, Chambers Ireland Following announcements earlier this month that the UK would release a series of position papers outlining their key policies, last week saw the first two papers launched by the Department for Exiting the European Union. While the EU has published more than a dozen such position papers over the course of
by Elisha Collier O’Brien, Policy and Research Executive, Chambers Ireland Irish businesses benefit greatly from opportunities to access training and skills for employees to build capacity and enhance productivity. The National Training Fund is an important component in Ireland’s further education and training landscape. Currently, employer’s PRSI contribution includes a 0.7% National Training Fund Levy
Following the August bank holiday, our 24-hour Advice Service was busy with queries in respect of public holiday entitlements, so we thought we’d help you employers with this useful guide to compensation for employees. So when should employees be compensated when it comes to public holidays? An employee should be compensated for a public holiday
by Susan McDermott, Media and Communications Executive, Chambers Ireland The reduced VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sector was first introduced by former Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, in Budget 2011 on a temporary basis. Reducing the rate from 13.5% to 9% was considered at that point to be a necessary support for the
Guest blog post – HR Advice from Peninsula An employee will often be confronted by a number of stress factors. An organisation’s culture can be the key to determining the factors related to stress. Is it because of long working hours, bringing work home, poor communication or management style? Let’s take a look… Demands If too
by Will Doyle, Chambers Ireland Public Affairs Team Why do we need better broadband? In today’s increasingly digitized economy, access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury but an economic necessity. However, for many homes and businesses around this country, it remains unavailable. If growth is to occur at a national level, rural SMEs
By Susan McDermott, Media and Communications Executive, Chambers Ireland There has been much discussion in the media and current affairs commentary in recent days and weeks about the Rainy Day Fund and whether the Government will deliver on its commitment to allocate exchequer funding to such a measure. What is a Rainy Day Fund? A
by Emma Kerins, International Affairs Executive, Chambers Ireland This week’s news that the EU and Japan reached a political agreement for a new trade deal is a welcome development for all those who support increased international trade. Japan is the fourth largest economy in the world and with a population of more than 125 million people; its
by Will Doyle On the 13 June, European Movement Ireland hosted Two Islands: Brexit and the Future of Europe, a conference addressing the looming effects of Brexit. The speakers represented perspectives from Germany, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England. Despite this range of geographical representation, everyone present could agree on one thing- a hard Brexit will negatively affect