Britain’s postal service, the Royal Mail yesterday said it was on track to meet its cost reduction target and delivered more parcels than expected in the UK over the Christmas period, easing concerns over the intense competition facing the former monopoly.

National property prices dropped by half a per cent in November, the first decrease since last February, according to the Central Statistics Office.

The rising level of long-term mortgage arrears was labelled a "time bomb" yesterday, while new figures from the Central Bank also signalled an increase in the rate of possible house repossessions.

Residential property prices increased nearly 8% in the year to March, with Dublin property on average costing 14.3% more than a year ago.

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Investment in Irish property assets rose 170% in the first quarter of this year above the same period last year — but 94% of activity was in the Dublin market, and as yields compressed investors “acquired assets across the risk spectrum”, according to Davy Research.

The number of dole claimants has dropped below 400,000 for the first time since 2009, but a significant drop in young claimants has prompted speculation that emigration may be the reason for the overall decline.

Economists have expressed “surprise” that, in spite of the drive to cut the State’s pay bill, public sector wages rose more than private sector pay over the past year.

The number of dole claimants fell to its lowest level since Aug 2009 last month, but economists still believe it will be a “number of years” before the unemployment rate returns to single digits.

As the Government seeks to wipe €1bn off the public service pay bill, the latest figures show that while the number of staff employed in the health service has fallen by 8,100 in the last year, those employed in education has increased by 5,100.

Irish packaging group Smurfit Kappa posted an 11% rise in full-year pre-tax profit, buoyed by strong demand and increased exposure to high-growth markets such as Mexico.

The banks should increase the number of house repossessions as part of a get-tough approach to rising mortgage arrears.

The number of people claiming the dole increased by more than 19,000 between May and June.

New figures for March show seasonally adjusted exports rose by €361m (5%) and imports rose by €961m (or 26%), according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The number of new cars licensed in April slumped by 15% compared with last year, as the peak car selling period for this year slowed dramatically.

Industrial production for March 2012 was 2.5% down on the previous month, latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicate.

Packaging firm Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) has reported a 20% annual rise in operating profits for the first quarter 2012.

The value of Ireland's exports and imports fell in February, according to latest statistics from the CSO.

Industrial production declined 3.6% in February compared to the previous month, latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published today show.

Packaging group Smurfit Kappa will reinstate its dividend following a two-year hiatus after successfully lowering its debt and on the back of an improved outlook.

HOUSE prices fell last month at their fastest rate for two-and-a-half years.

THE number of people signing on for the dole has fallen for the first time in four months.

THE collapse in property prices shows no sign of abating as figures show Dublin residential property prices have collapsed by over 50% since the peak of 2007.

EXPORTS dipped 6% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis after a sharp increase in February.

GOVERNMENT ministers like good news these days and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton is no exception.

REACTION to the latest bailout of the banks has been broadly positive with analysts pointing out that the €24 billion will add no more than €2bn to the gross national debt. This is equal to about 1.5% of GDP.

CAR ferries operator, Irish Continental Group, reported a sharp rise in pre-tax profits last year, prompting a €1 final dividend to shareholders.

THE global economy is in a far better place than it was six months ago when “double dip” recession was still a major concern.

STOCK markets could deliver double-digit growth this year, but that optimistic forecast could be in tatters by the year end.

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan was given High Court clearance yesterday to inject €3.7 billion in taxpayers’ money into the country’s former leading bank.

CONSUMERS are continuing to borrow less and are increasingly struggling to meet mortgage repayments, figures reveal.

THE food and drinks sector continues to provide solid evidence that this economy still has something to build on for the future.

CRH, a leading global building materials group, told an investor day in London recently its core focus will be to deliver a 10% return on investment capital over time.

CONTINUING unease over the financial perils facing Ireland and other peripheral European economies is pushing the cost of national debt and insurance cover to new highs.

EXPORTS will be the only bright spot in the economy next year which will continue to endure weak growth, according to Davy Research, which has cut its forecasts for this year and next.

BANK of Ireland’s raising of £300 million (€344m) in a three-year bond was described yesterday as apositive development by a leading Irish banking analyst.

The cost of living increased by half a per cent over the last year, official figures revealed today.

THE fallout from the banking crisis pushed Ireland’s cost of borrowing to new highs yesterday as the interest rate on 10-year bonds rose to 3.89% above German rates.

ARYZTA, the food company formed from the merger of IAWS and Swiss bakery group Hiestand, has spent $1.08 billion (€900m) to acquire Fresh Start bakeries and Great Kitchens in the US.

THE latest analysis of Kerry Group, a leading food ingredients supplier, says the Tralee, Co Kerry-based group is underrated at current prices.

Ireland is not a wealthy country when compared with others within the EU, according to a new report by Davy Research.

NAMA will not need to borrow from investors to fund its operation, according to a new report.

THE Government will have to buy further stakes in the country’s banks as a result of the banking meltdown, Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan disclosed yesterday.