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The CSO released the findings of their latest Household Budget Survey in early August. The HBS is a household survey and its data is used to measure the cost of living in Ireland.

I read a fascinating book by Victor Hagani recently, the Missing Billionaires. Victor was a successful trader in Solomon Brothers and subsequently was one of the founders of Long Term Capital Management (“LTCM”).

There has long been a keen interest in property from Irish people. Many Irish people own property outside their principal home, and act as landlords, whether by accident or design. Any rental income received is liable to taxation under Section D, and is subject to Income Tax, PRSI, and USC as applicable.

When planning for the future, we not only focus on securing our financial well-being but also contemplate the legacy we leave behind for our loved ones. Many parents enjoy the fulfilment from gifting money to their adult children while still alive, with a specific emphasis on alleviating the burden of mortgages.

The Irish housing market has been exposed to rising interest rates following ten consecutive interest-rate increases by the European Central Bank since the first hike in July 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland have calculated that there is €369m as at the end of September 2023 on fixed rates that are due to expire within one year. Due to mortgage fixation this cohort of customers may not yet have been impacted by rising rates and will be exposed to a hike in their repayments and interest when their fixed rate period expires.

The Central Bank of Ireland have calculated as at the end of September 2023 that there is over €10.7bn in mortgages on variable interest rates with many paying over 6%, €369m on fixed rates that are due to expire within one year and €15.4bn on a tracker rate paying 5.50% on average. These statistics show a vast number of customers paying excessive repayments and interest on their mortgages needlessly.