This week saw the release of car sales figures for 2022, data on the impact of sport on female careers and information on the standard of living in Ireland.
There were updates on employment in the country, food and drink exports and social protection expenditure.
A new survey revealed the expected retirement age in Ireland, the price of a pint of plain is on the rise and inflation has added to the cost of building a house.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show 101,349 new cars were licensed in 2022, compared to 101,853 in 2021, with new electric cars being licensed jumped 81% from 8,554 to 15,462.
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Impact of sport on female careers
Research from KPMG and 30% Club has shown that improved teamwork (90%), confidence (86%), and self-belief (63%) are skills females had developed through their participation in sport that are transferable to a career.
58% of those who took part in the research believe that participating in sport has positively impacted their professional career.
The standard of living, as measured as real total disposable income, declined in the third quarter of 2022 from the record high measured a year earlier.
Growth in household earnings as a result of more people entering the workforce was outpaced by inflation, resulting in lower real incomes, while household consumption also grew, both in terms of higher inflation and more goods and services being used.
Employment increased 5.6% in the 12 months to November, according to the latest seasonally-adjusted employee index from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The total number of employees rose to 2.368m from 2.347m in October, an increase of 0.9% or 21,000.
In December unemployment fell from 117,000 to 114,500.
The latest Bord Bia export performance and prospects report shows food and drink exports alone rose €3bn last year and 30% on pre-pandemic levels (€13bn in 2019).
The volume of exports for sectors such as beef and dairy increased while prepared consumer foods (PCF) and drinks achieved new milestones in the value of their respective exports.
State spending on social protection rose to €59.1bn in 2021.
Expenditure on sickness payments accounted for a plurality of spending at €23.6bn, up 7.3% from €21.9bn in 2020, with old age pensions accounting for €15.9bn, up 4.5% from €15.3bn a year prior.
More than half of workers expect to stay in employment beyond the usual retirement age of 65, a new survey has found.
But working longer will lead to a higher State pension, under proposed new rules.
Homebuilder Cairn complained of "significant" build cost inflation taking effect last year, stating that the cost of building homes increased by c. €20,000 per new home, with the cost having increased by c. €35,000 over the past two years.
Diageo told its customers in the on-trade that it would increase the price of Guinness and draught beers by 12 cent per pint, excluding VAT, from 1 February.
This will mean the price of a pint of Guinness is expected to rise by 30c to 40c at the tap, according to BusinessPlus.ie sources.
