The NTMA raised State Savings rates on 30 August 2026 and made Prize Bond prizes bigger. Here are the new rates, the tax position, the catches and how they compare with bank deposits.
Author: Money & Living Desk
Money & Living Desk
The Money Desk covers grants, budgets, taxation, banking and the cost of living. Figures are checked against the body that issued them, and each page carries the date of that check. Pages are updated when rates or rules change. Nothing published by this desk is financial advice. coverage@theirishwire.com
The Central Bank keeps a record of almost every loan of €500 or more in Ireland. Here is what it holds, who looks at it, how long it lasts and how to get your own report for free.
Payment fraud in Ireland reached €179 million in 2025. This guide covers the scams that peak around Black Friday and Christmas, how to spot them, and the steps that give you the best chance of getting money back.
What the law says about returns, refunds and faulty goods, how long gift vouchers must last, your 14 days to cancel online orders, and the new charges on parcels from outside the EU, including Britain.
Ireland’s auto-enrolment pension started on 1 January 2026. This guide explains who is signed up, how much goes in from you, your employer and the State, how the rates rise and what happens if you already have a pension.
The full State Pension (Contributory) passes €300 a week for the first time in January 2027. Here are the new rates, the difference between the two main pensions, how many contributions you need and what you gain by waiting.
The national minimum wage rises by 79 cent on 1 January 2027. Here is what that means by the hour, week and year, what younger workers get, and how it fits the plan for a living wage.
The CSO’s Household Budget Survey shows where the average household’s money goes, how renters, families and pensioners differ, and what changed since 2015-2016.
Gender pay gap · Ireland For every €1 a man earns per hour, a woman earns 90c Average hourly pay for women compared with men, broken down by job, sector, age, education and employer size. Search for yours, or switch to see the gap by county. Jobs & sectors Counties
Help to Buy has risen to €35,000. Here is what each State scheme pays, who qualifies, and how they add up on a €400,000 new home. The numbers€35,000most you can get back from Help to Buy30%most First Home can fund (20% with Help to Buy)4xusual limit on borrowing for first-time buyers€400,000median home price, 12 months to August 2026 Since 7 October 2026, Help to Buy can give a first-time buyer back up to €35,000 of the income tax they paid. That is €5,000 more than before, and it runs to 31 December 2029. It is one of five State schemes…