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Rockcourt Financial Services Ltd
Experts in Public & Private Sector Pensions, Mortgages, Investment & Savings, Overseas Pensions and Income Protection
The latest Savings and Investment Index reveals that fear of a global recession has now become the top concern for Irish households. It ranks even higher than worries about housing costs and inflation. According to Kevin Quinn, Chief Investment Strategist at the Bank of Ireland, rising geopolitical tensions, such as the Israel-Iran conflict, have pushed recession fears to the forefront.![]()
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While the broader population is increasingly anxious about the global economy, younger people still remain concerned about housing and the rising cost of living.![]()
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Between April and June, fewer people reported that they were saving, and even less felt they were saving enough. This decline may be linked to the European Central Bank’s decision to cut interest rates, which reduces returns on savings. Additionally, some households may be increasing their spending now in anticipation of future price hikes driven by trade tariffs.![]()
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086 0445509📱 094 9638533☎ office@rockcourt.ie📧
The 2024 Irish Life Protection Claims Report highlights just how vital cover can be during your lifetime. Last year €379.70 million was paid out across 7,804 claims. 63% of these were for living benefits like serious illness cover and income protection.![]()
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Over 99% of death claims and nearly 93% of serious illness claims were approved. The average serious illness claim was €60,000, with most claimants in their early 50s. Income protection claims averaged €20,744, helping people as young as 47.![]()
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Yet despite this, many remain underinsured due to cost concerns, confusion around policies, or misconceptions about payouts. In reality life insurance is more affordable than most think, especially when it is started young. ![]()
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Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. ![]()
086 0445509📱 094 9638533☎ office@rockcourt.ie📧
The latest BPFI mortgage report shows that first-time buyers are facing significantly higher costs. Currently, one in three first-time buyer homes costs over €400,000- three times more than in 2019. Since then, the average price of a home for a first-time buyer has risen by 37% to €372,000, while the average mortgage has grown by 36% to €294,000. Although incomes have also increased, they've only risen by 22%, reaching €85,000.![]()
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A growing number of first-time buyers are now taking out larger mortgages. Around 44% are borrowing over €300,000, compared to just 21% who are taking out loans under €200,000. The Central Bank now expects fewer new homes to be built, with just 32,500 completed in 2024. BPFI CEO Brian Hayes emphasises the need for more international investment. He hopes that recent government changes to rent regulations will help attract that investment.![]()
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086 0445509📱 094 9638533☎ office@rockcourt.ie📧
According to the latest Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) report from the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul the cost of living has rose by 1.8% in the past year and 18.8% since 2020.![]()
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Families with older children are hit the hardest. It costs €158 a week to meet the needs of a child aged 12 or over, but social welfare only covers 64% of that. Younger children cost less at around €98 a week for a primary school child and €72 for a preschooler.![]()
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A single parent with one child in primary school and one in secondary school needs roughly €555 a week to meet basic needs. However, social welfare only covers 82% of that amount.![]()
For a single adult working full-time on minimum wage in a city, living costs rose by 5.6% in 2025. While having a job helps, the report says the minimum wage still isn't enough to cover basic living expenses.![]()
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Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. ![]()
086 0445509📱 094 9638533☎ office@rockcourt.ie📧
The number of people contributing to private pensions increased by 13.6% in 2024, reaching over 258,000 compared to the previous year. At the same time, the total value of money invested in Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) rose by 53.8%, reaching €18.3 billion.![]()
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PRSAs come in two types: standard and non-standard. Standard PRSAs have capped fees of 5% and invest in common assets like government bonds, property, and stocks. Non-standard PRSAs have no limits on fees and offer a wider range of investment options.![]()
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In 2024, contributions to standard PRSAs went up by 3.6% to 163,201, while contributions to non-standard PRSAs saw a much bigger increase of 36.2%, reaching 94,967. The value of assets in standard PRSAs grew by 26% to €6.7 billion, and assets in non-standard PRSAs rose by 76% to €11.6 billion.![]()
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Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. ![]()
086 0445509📱 094 9638533☎ office@rockcourt.ie📧