23/10/2026: Mortgage drawdowns by first-time buyers are at their highest level since 2008, according to new figures from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland.

A total of 14,217 mortgages worth almost €4.6 billion were drawn down during July, August and September.

This was a 13% increase in the number of mortgages compared with the same period last year.

Most of the activity was driven by first-time buyers. They drew down 8,164 mortgages and accounted for almost 60% of the total over those three months.

22/10/2026: PTSB is raising interest rates on its fixed-rate mortgages today by an average of 0.3%, triggered by recent European Central Bank hikes.

Increases will range from 0.2% to 0.35% on 3, 4, 5 and 7 year fixed rate mortgage products. However, those on an existing fixed or variable rate will not see any change.

If you have already received a mortgage offer letter from PTSB, you have a 90-day grace period until 19 January 2027 to draw down your loan at your original rate.

16/10/2026: Yuno Energy has promised no electricity or gas price increases before March 2027, giving its 100,000 customers some welcome certainty over the winter.

The commitment follows steep increases in July, when Yuno raised electricity prices by 9.5% and gas prices by 11%, adding around €168 and €156 respectively to typical annual bills. The announcement comes days after its sister company, PrepayPower, introduced a similar winter price freeze.

16/10/2026: AIB has reduced its Higher Value 4 Year Fixed mortgage rates by between 0.25% and 0.35%.

The new rates range from 3.15% to 3.25%, depending on LTV, and are available to eligible new and existing mortgage customers borrowing at least €250,000.

AIB’s Green, variable and other fixed mortgage rates remain unchanged.

06/10/2026: Budget 2027 includes €8.65bn in spending and tax measures, with changes affecting workers, families, renters, homeowners and energy customers.

The higher Income Tax rate threshold will rise to €46,500, while the main tax credits will increase by €125. A single worker earning €50,000 could be around €750 better off over a full year, while a couple earning €100,000 between them could gain around €1,500.

Housing measures include a higher €35,000 Help to Buy refund, an increased €1,150 Rent Tax Credit for individuals and a €16,000 Rent-a-Room Relief threshold.

Fuel Allowance will rise to €43 per week, Carbon Tax on home heating oil and natural gas will be reduced, and temporary fuel excise cuts will remain in place through the winter.

15/09/2026: The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, marking its second rate hike this year. This latest increase brings the benchmark deposit rate to 2.50%, as the central bank continues to combat rising inflation across the eurozone.

Homeowners with tracker mortgages will see an immediate increase in their monthly repayments, while new mortgages, personal loans, and credit card debt will also cost more. Those with fixed rate loans will not see any change in their monthly mortgage payments.

However, savers could eventually see a slight boost in the interest earned on their bank deposits, provided banks pass the rate hike on.

11/09/2026: Energia has confirmed that new residential electricity and gas prices will take effect on 12 October 2026.

Typical electricity bills will increase by 4.73%, equivalent to an additional €1.67 per week. Electricity standing charges will also rise by 5%.

The average annual gas bill will go up by 9.38%, adding around €2.74 per week, while gas standing charges will stay the samenub.

Dual fuel customers will pay an average of 6.73% more, or an extra €4.41 per week.

09/09/2026: Bord Gáis Energy will increase residential electricity and gas prices for around 300,000 households from 9 October 2026.

Residential electricity customers will see their unit rate increase by 9.1% and their standing charge by 7.2%, while gas customers will see their unit rate increase by 10.6% and their standing charge by 7%.

Under the new rates, electricity customers will see average bills climb by 8.8% (an extra €14.75 per month), while typical households will see their gas bills rise by 9.3% (an extra €11.67 per month).

Dual fuel households face a 9.1% overall increase, amounting to an extra €26.42 each month.

.