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Monthly work leave for women is to be looked at

More than 70% of women have taken time o work due to period pain, according to a recent survey by Fórsa which included 1,800 respondents. e largest public service union in Ireland has since called for menstrual health policy in every Irish workplace.

It follows the announcement of the Spanish government that it is planning to introduce paid leave for women with painful periods. is would make Spain the rst country in Europe to o er such leave, after Italy made an unsuccessful bid to introduce it back in 2017.

But what are the chances of Ireland following these footsteps?

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik and Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Chair of the Oireachtas Women’s Caucus, would welcome discussion around the topic. "We in Labour have brought a Bill already on reproductive health-related leave," Ms Bacik said. "We might be able to see to amend that Bill to provide for the sort of menstrual healthrelated bill that we’ve seen being considered now in Spain," she said.

Labour has support from Government in bringing forward the Bill in the Seanad. "If we were to see a change made to that Bill to also include menstrual health-related leave, I think there would probably be very strong support for that too," Ms Bacik said.

Senator O'Loughlin said it is important to see how Spain fares with its attempt to introduce this new type of leave and what type of consequences would follow. Having a discussion about this would be an important rst step.

She already has some ideas about what needs to be done in the possible introduction of such leave in Ireland. "We need to have wide stakeholder engagement," she said.

Any aspects involving challenges for businesses, particularly small businesses, or women seeking employment or promotion, would have to be engaged in fully.

Echoes of Celtic Tiger era as house prices are up by 12%

ere was a 12% rise in house prices in the last year as in ation in the housing market neared Celtic Tiger levels, a report from a home valuation website has found. is was due to ve consecutive quarters of house price in ation, close to the six back-toback in ationary periods seen at the height of the Celtic Tiger in 2007. e average house price has also risen, by 12% to €280,000 from €250,000, the Valuemyhome site found in its rst quarterly report. "Since Q3 2020, the Irish housing market has witnessed ve consecutive quarters of price in ation,” said Gareth McKeown, head of valuation at Geowox, which runs Valuemyhome. " e length of this price surge is now quite close to the heady days of 2006 to 2007 when rises were seen in six consecutive quarters.”

Rural counties saw the most substantial increases in the average selling price of a house, with Monaghan (39%) the largest when compared with 2021. e average house sold in Monaghan in the rst three months of last year went for €133,000. is year, the gure rose to €185,000.

Carlow saw a rise from €155,000 to €210,000, a 36% rise, while O aly saw a jump from €170,000 to €227,000 (34%) in the same period.

Dublin house prices are currently 41% higher than the rest of the country, the report found, while Longford has the cheapest property market at 48% below national average. New builds are also averaging at 48% more expensive to buy. "With house prices continuing to rise, we are nearing Celtic Tiger price territory,” Mr McKeown said. " e Central Bank's lending rules, in addition to the absence of mortgage interest relief, mean that borrowers now need higher incomes than during the property bubble years in order to qualify for a mortgage. "A recent report drafted by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland states that the typical household income of rst-time buyers has risen to €77,000 a year, far higher than during the property bubble years (€60,000 in 2005). "Having regard to the above, factoring in a lack of supply, increasing costs in fuel and building commodities, and an uncertain global economy, house prices look certain to continue rising throughout the year and into 2023.” e number of homes sold remained relatively stagnant in the past year, with just a 1pc uptick to 12,876 units in Q1 of this year.

Dublin (3,925) and Cork (1,440) registered the largest total number of sales, while Westmeath (-27.3%), Wicklow (-21.4%) and Cavan (-21.3%) saw the most signi cant yearon-year unit sales drops.

Half of the counties in Ireland recorded negative volume compared with the same period in 2021. e report sounded a warning that new home delivery fell when compared to last year amid a supply shortage.

The local venues ideal for your wedding day

With the start of the festival high-season upon us, Irish wedding venue platform SaveMyDay.ie are shining a light on the country’s best festival-feel venues to tie the knot.

Whether to-be-weds are looking for the creative boho vibes of Body & Soul, the enchanted woodlands feel of Electric Picnic, an exclusive hire venue to add their own colourful stamp too, a music festival marquee setting, glamorous glamping experiences with yurts and tipis, or countryside outdoor spaces to host their own mini-green eld wedding ceremonies and receptions, Ireland has a superstar set-list of festivalstyle wedding venues on o er.

Dotted across Ireland from Kilkenny, Cork, Laois, Wicklow, Clare, Leitrim, Galway, Carlow, Mayo, Kerry and Dublin, we have chosen 13 amazing festival wedding venues to help couples plan their ultimate big day.

All these festival-style wedding venues and many more are pro led on SaveMyDay.ie, where couples can connect with any of the venues and enquire for free about their upcoming nuptials. SaveMyDay. ie was launched in 2021 by Dublin based couple Ian Menzies and Shell Holden to showcase unique, amazing and alternative Irish venues available to hire for weddings. e online platform connects couples with ceremony and party venues that are the right t for them - whatever their style, their guest size and their budget!

Set in the beautiful rolling hills of the Kilkenny countryside, Mountain View at Ballyhale is an exclusive wedding venue that boasts both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces on its 120 acres including their Grand Marquee, e Greenhouse and outdoor terrace. Ideal for both intimate and larger festival-inspired wedding celebrations, Mountain View have newly launched this month their unique boutique glamping experience for newlyweds and their guests to stay in for the big day. eir exclusive glamping village includes 12 luxurious and spacious fully furnished bell tents.

Guests can expect home from home comforts, with a double bed, king sized duvet and electric power, while outside contains a table and chairs and your own re pit looking out over miles of stunning countryside. eir ‘Hilly Hut’ is the ultimate of countryside living and is a perfect retreat for the newly married couple. Newlyweds can enjoy the Hilly Hut’s electric smart heating, a separate bathroom and shower, and a kitchen/lounge area with a sofa to soak up those countryside vibes.

Elsewhere, Kilkenny's Langton Hotel is located right at the heart of Kilkenny’s lively city and houses ve wedding venue options all under one roof. Hosting celebrations for up to 342 guests, couples can channel their inner rockstars and get hitched in Langton’s state-of-the-art Set eatre complete with stage, sweeping curtains and sound systems.

Finding key barriers to growth for our small businesses

Grant ornton Ireland has launched the 2022 Irish Business Voice Programme with the support of business and industry groups across the country, building on the success of the inaugural programme in 2021, and aiming to equip Irish businesses with the supports and advice they need to continue growth into the future. e Irish Business Voice Programme was developed to gather insights from businesses on those areas of greatest concern, with businesses then invited to attend a series of targeted workshops and events which identify solutions and pathways to sustainable growth.

Amid the challenges of in ation, the rising cost of living and supply chain shortages, it is more important than ever that Irish businesses have their voices heard. With the support of industry and business groups including local Chambers of Commerce, Grant ornton Ireland has launched a short survey that will capture barriers to growth, current business issues and identify solutions across sectors and industries. e 2021 Irish Business Voice Programme revealed Irish businesses were most concerned about digital transformation and business process ine ciencies, access to a skilled workforce, and challenges to progressing their sustainability ambitions. With a rapidly changing business landscape and signi cant uncertainty within the economy at present, the 2022 programme is an important tool to identify a path forward.