THE Irish economy needs an SSIA scheme in reverse that rewards consumers who spend rather than save, according to Bloxham stockbrokers.

IRELAND’S unemployment rate continues to edge towards 15% with figures showing the highest number of people signing on the dole since the start of the year.

IN spite of an almost €8.8 billion drop in the overall budget deficit and a tax take €470 million ahead of expectations, economists have warned the lack of jobs stimulus in the upcoming budget could send the economy backwards rather than forwards in 2011.

IRELAND is emerging from recession, with encouraging economic signs arriving on an almost daily basis, according to Bloxhams Stockbrokers chief economist Alan McQuaid.

The latest analysis of investor confidence in the country will be published today.

DOLE queues in Cork increased by the largest percentage of any county over the last 12 months, figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal.

PLANS for a low-fares, long-haul airline which would operate flights from Ireland to the US will be presented to investors this week.

THE FAI have been urged to sue FIFA for negligence and loss of earnings after Thierry Henry’s handball denied Ireland a place in next summer’s World Cup.

THE number of people on the dole has passed 400,000 for the first time and now accounts for one in five of the working population.

THE numbers claiming the dole doubled year-on-year for the first time this month according to figures published by the Central Statistics Office — but experts believe there is still cause for optimism.

AER Lingus must consider a merger to avoid becoming another Waterford Wedgwood as revenue plunged 16% in the first three months of the year.

The Government is being told to cut taxes, spend more and break EU rules on borrowing to get the economy back on track.

LOWER food and clothing prices pushed inflation to its lowest level in six months, falling from 5% in June to 4.4% last month.

ECONOMIC growth below 1% this year will make it feel like a recession here, according to Bloxham economist Alan McQuaid, who said many economists believe Ireland is already in a recession, or in danger of slipping into one.

IRELAND’S trade surplus narrowed to the smallest in eight years in December, with exports and imports both falling significantly.

IRISH families and consumers are in debt to the tune of a record €142.7bn — more than double the €60.9bn burden of five years ago.

WEAKER growth in manufacturing output is forecast for the year ahead as global demand slows and the strong euro makes Irish goods more expensive.

AFTER a turbulent week the Irish stock market bounced back yesterday thanks to a strong performance from the financials.

IRELAND’S rate of inflation rose again last month, as prices for food such as bread, butter and milk rose to the highest level in five years.

IRELAND’S inflation rate at 5.1% is unacceptably high and damaging competitiveness, according to some of the country’s leading economists and business groups.

INCREASED health, medicine and education costs have driven inflation to just under 5% — still the highest in the euro currency zone, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed yesterday.

THE roller-coaster ride on equity markets is providing shrewd investors with numerous opportunities to make profits of close to 20% in a matter of weeks.