On the 17 July 2025 the 2025 National Risk Assessment was published.  It is the fourth comprehensive assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risk in the UK. It is the UK's stock-take of the collective knowledge of money laundering and terrorist financing risks and builds on the understanding of the risks identified in the 2015, 2017 and 2020 NRAs. Member firms are advised to review the assessment carefully and to update their AML risk assessments and policies and procedures accordingly.

It was a busy week in Government Buildings with the publication of both the Summer Economic Statement and the revised National Development Plan.  5 key takeaways from our team The overall package of tax reductions and public spending increases for Budget 2026 will amount to €9.4 billion, an increase of 7.3 percent on the revised 2025 General Expenditure Ceiling, with the total tax package amounting to €1.5 billion. At a time of great uncertainty at a global level with the prospect of increased US tariffs looming over the Irish economy, and the deterioration of the short-term outlook in Ireland, careful planning will be crucial to ensure any corresponding economic slowdown is managed.   Infrastructure was the only show in town this week. Data from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has identified a 25 percent infrastructural gap between Ireland and its peer countries. This week’s commitment to an additional €34 billion in additional capital spending for the remainder of the decade is critical if Ireland is to narrow this substantial gap.     The infrastructure challenge is a cross-government one, so the solutions must be too. The National Development Plan outlines the importance of proper governance and appraisal of capital expenditure in ensuring public funds are deployed efficiently and impactfully. The establishment of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce should streamline the various government agencies responsible for implementing the Government’s ambitions. This is the critical success factor for Ireland – delivery of an infrastructure fit for an advanced economy with global ambitions. Key to this will be delivery of an appropriate return on investment for the government’s key stakeholder – its taxpayers.   Housing is only one part of the puzzle.1 in 4 SMEs surveyed by Chartered Accountants Ireland in April reported that their business has lost employees or seen prospective employees unable to take a role due to the unavailability of affordable housing. So, it is encouraging to see such significant emphasis on addressing this persistent challenge over the next five years. That said, the critical levers to ensuring Ireland’s competitiveness also include energy and water, so these significant deficits in the State’s infrastructure need to be addressed holistically if Ireland is to fully realise its ambition of becoming a place where businesses can thrive.   Among the most frequent barriers encountered by Chartered Accountants Ireland’s 40,000 members is access to childcare, and we have lobbied extensively on this issue. Despite being featured as a key commitment in the Programme for Government, the revised National Development Plan lacks detail on how more childcare places will be created for working parents. Greater priority must be given to an issue that so fundamentally affects the labour market.  The Government this week also released the Tax Strategy Group papers, and we will have full coverage of these documents in Tax News this coming Monday.

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin read about how green teams can boost business, updates on Ireland’s policies for energy, sustainability reporting, and green public procurement, Ireland’s reaffirmed commitment to the UN SDGs, progress on Climate Action Plans and a consultation on a sectoral adaptation plan for flood risk. Also covered is the UK’s decision against a Green Taxonomy and a report into its climate and biodiversity solutions, the European Commission’s consultation on how to simplify environmental legislation by cutting red tape, and the usual podcasts, articles, resources and upcoming events. Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability from within: how green teams can boost business Green teams are gaining traction in organisations as a practical way to drive sustainability from within. In this article in Accountancy Ireland Briefly Susan Rossney Sustainability Advocacy Manager at Chartered Accountants Ireland describes how by fostering green teams, businesses can not only build internal sustainability capacity but also future-proof their organisations, creating value for employees, customers and the planet alike. Ireland ‘Stopping the clock’ on sustainability reporting regulation The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has signed a Statutory Instrument to give legal effect in Ireland to the EU’s “Stop the Clock” Directive on Corporate Sustainability Reporting. These regulations ensure that the original Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will not apply to so-called Wave 2 and Wave 3 companies for a further two years respectively, while the European Commission’s Omnibus proposal is being negotiated and agreed. Chartered Accountants Ireland’s coverage of the announcement can be found here. Government sets out commitment to sustainable development Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has set out Ireland’s commitment to sustainable development at the United Nations 'High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development' (HLPF) in New York this week. As Ireland marks the 70th anniversary of its membership of the UN this year, Minister O’Brien reiterated Ireland's commitment to multilateralism and called for a coordinated approach at national and international levels to address the complex and crosscutting nature of today’s global challenges. Separately, it was announced that Ireland’s fourth Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week, hosted by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, will take place from 19–28 September 2025, alongside European SDG Week. This week aims to raise awareness and celebrate progress on the SDGs and invites interested parties to register their events at www.esdn.eu/esdw. Green Public Procurement Circular publishes The Government has approved a new Circular to boost Green Public Procurement (GPP) across the public sector. The approval follows public consultation undertaken by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to inform the development of Ireland’s first National Public Procurement Strategy, the core themes of which will be green, social, and innovative procurement, scheduled for recommendation to Government later this year, and. The (OGP) has been tasked with playing a leadership role in embedding green public procurement across the public sector and ensuring compulsory reporting on GPP, so that progress in this area can be monitored. The Circular, which was introduced to ensure delivery on commitments in the Programme for Government; Securing Ireland’s Future includes a measure encouraging public sector bodies to pay particular consideration to any potential impact on SMEs when applying GPP practice. It also encourages public sector bodies to consider the ‘total price of a product’, including purchase price, operating costs and end-of-life costs. Draft Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management publishes The Office of Public Works (OPW) has published a draft Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management for public consultation. The Plan considers the impacts of climate change on flooding and flood risk, reflecting the increasing effects of climate change on weather patterns, and the risk of flooding in Ireland becoming a critical concern in relation to impacts on communities, infrastructure, the economy, and ecosystems. The Plan sets out adaptation actions needed to ensure effective and sustainable management of flood risk into the future. Submissions, observations, and comments on the draft Plan are invited before 15 August 2025. Climate Action Plan progress report publishes Four of the six new actions of the 2025 Climate Action Plan (CAP25) that were due to be completed during Quarter 1 of 2025 were delivered on time, according to the recently published Quarter 1 Progress Report.  The report focuses on the six sectors with the highest greenhouse gas emissions, as well as on cross-cutting actions. It also provides updates on sectoral Key Performance Indicators, emissions trends and high impact case studies. Government announces number of energy updates The Government has announced a number of updates to energy including in the areas of electricity generation and grid infrastructure, funding for district heating and greater cooperation on energy transition. As part of the National Development Plan the Government has approved a €3.5 billion investment in Ireland's electricity grid infrastructure (2026-2030), the largest single investment in the country’s electricity network in its history. This investment aims to strengthen Ireland’s energy security, support economic growth and accelerate our transition to renewable energy. The enhanced grid will be crucial to deliver on key Programme for Government commitments, including achieving 80 percent renewable electricity by 2030. Separately, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has approved the allocation of €5 million to support pre-construction development costs for efficient district heating projects in Ireland, and for the introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme (RHO), which aims to help to reduce Ireland’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and to strengthen our energy security. Government approval has also been granted for a new policy on 'Private Wires', a reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure. This is intended to unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure (particularly renewable generation and storage), facilitate the provision of low-cost charging solution for Electric Vehicles, and expand opportunities for self-supply of electricity. The Minister also signed an extension to the 2023 energy Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy for increased cooperation between both countries in the energy transition. Increase in female representation in finance leadership Female representation in senior roles in Ireland’s financial services has significantly increased over the past three years, according to the latest report by the Women in Finance Charter. This industry-led and Government-supported initiative is aimed at increasing participation of women at all levels of business in financial services in Ireland. It now includes 100 firms – including Chartered Accountants Ireland – employing over 72,000 people. Key findings show board-level female representation rose from 30.3 percent to 43.4 percent, senior management from 36.2 percent to 43.4 percent, and female CEOs from 19.4 percent to 22.6 percent, reflecting steady progress since 2022. AIB launches Business Sustainability Loan AIB has launched a new low-cost green and transition loan to help businesses transition to a low carbon economy. The Business Sustainability Loan aims to support all businesses, including farmers, clubs, trusts and charities seeking to green their operation. Complementing AIB’s Steps to Sustainability Programme which supports businesses to plan for a greener future, the loan is available at a variable interest rate of 4.95 percent for amounts between €2,000 to a maximum of €100,000, for each eligible loan purpose and is repayable between one and seven years. It supports businesses investing in green and transition measures including renewable energy systems, forestry, green buildings (commercial and residential), zero emission vehicles, circular economy and waste management. All of these changes can help reduce costs for businesses. Applications can be made in branch, via advisors or on the phone, with quick decisioning and e-signing. Northern Ireland/UK Discount of up to £3,750 on electric cars The UK government has announced a £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG), offering discounts of up to £3,750 per car for new electric vehicles priced at or under £37,000. The initiative aims to support the transition from petrol and diesel cars, aligning with the goal to phase out their sales by 2030. Starting from 16 July, manufacturers can apply for their zero-emission cars to be included in the scheme, with funding available until the 2028-2029 financial year. This grant is expected to save drivers up to £1,500 annually in fuel and running costs compared to petrol cars. The scheme is part of a broader £4.5 billion investment to promote EV adoption, including £63 million for home charging infrastructure and transitioning NHS fleets to electric. The initiative is part of the government’s Plan for Change, aiming to support economic growth and make EV ownership more accessible. UK government decides against Green Taxonomy The UK government has announced that it will not introduce a Green Taxonomy as a means of guiding companies and investors on what is a green investment, reportedly citing mixed feedback from investment groups and concerns about policy clarity. Instead, the government announced its intention to focus on other policies, including those pertaining to sustainability reporting. This decision is part of the Financial Services growth plan announced on 15 July. The government aims to establish the UK as a global hub for green finance, while other jurisdictions continue developing their own taxonomies. Report into UK government’s climate and biodiversity solutions The UK government has published a report presenting examples of how it is implementing solutions to meet its global commitments on climate change and biodiversity loss across England, and describing the potential avenues it is exploring to further enhance its approach. The report, Unlocking benefits for people, nature and climate: Actions to jointly address climate change and biodiversity loss in England, focuses on priority sectors, including climate and nature integration, delivery of clean energy, supporting a rural economy, restoring our seas,  and mobilising green finance. The report describes the UK as “a leader in natural capital accounting”, which is a means of valuing nature in terms of its ability to deliver essential services, such as carbon sequestration, flood protection, and urban cooling.  In the Foreword, report authors Minister Mary Creagh and Minister Kerry McCarthy MP state that “By maximising co-benefits we will strengthen our resilience, including our long-term fiscal sustainability, reducing the systemic risks associated with climate change and nature loss”. Europe European Commission opens call for evidence on how to simplify environmental legislation The European Commission has opened a call for evidence on how to simplify environmental legislation by cutting red tape while upholding and better achieving the EU’s environmental objectives of this legislation. The call serves to identify EU environmental policies that could be simplified for businesses without affecting the EU’s environmental objectives or the protection of human health, such as those policies concerning the circular economy, industrial emissions and waste management. The initiative is aligned with key EU initiatives, such as the Competitiveness Compass, and with the Commission’s work programme for 2025, which set the target of cutting administrative burden by at least 25 percent for all companies and at least 35 percent for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Compass also calls for accelerated permitting for sectors in transition to a clean and digital economy.  These actions tie in with the announcements made in the 2025 Single Market Strategy, in particular regarding EPR. All stakeholders are encouraged to respond using the Have Your Say portal. The feedback period for the Call for Evidence is open until the 10 September 2025. Joint statement calls on EU to preserve EU sustainable finance framework Accountancy Europe has endorsed a joint statement calling on EU policymakers to preserve the core of the EU sustainable finance framework. The statement stresses the importance of maintaining strong sustainability rules – on reporting, transition plans, climate targets, and due diligence – as part of the EU’s economic and sustainability ambitions. It also encourages policymakers to safeguard the key elements of the CSRD, ESRS and CSDDD in light of the Omnibus I simplification initiative, key elements it states are essential to directing investment towards the green transition and strengthening the EU’s capital markets. The statement also asserts that while regulatory simplification is possible, is should not be at the expense of the substance or benefits of sustainability rules. Signatories to the statement include leading organisations Eurosif - The European Sustainable Investment Forum; the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC); Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI); CLG Europe, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and E3G. EU Clean Industrial Deal – short-guide Interested in a short guide to the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal? More than a green strategy, the Deal is a blueprint for economic resilience through climate innovation. SustainabilityWorks has a super-short guide here 🌍 💡 WORLD The IFRS Foundation has published ‘near-final examples’ demonstrating how companies can improve the reporting of uncertainties in their financial statements using climate-related examples as practical illustrations. This early publication is intended to support timely and informed application. Podcast Chartered Accountants Worldwide, Episode 3: How to stay resilient, stay balanced — and help save the planet (4 minutes, 21 seconds) The third episode of the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Audio Newsletter explores the vital themes of resilience, work–life balance, and the emerging discipline of carbon accounting. Designed for busy professionals, it delivers practical tools and thought-provoking insights to help chartered accountants thrive in a complex, ever-evolving world. Articles National Development Plan to help Ireland meet climate goals, says Taoiseach (Irish Times) Innovative data centre pilot with leading energy providers combats ‘greenwashing’ (Business Post) Irish firms strengthen DE&I commitments while others retreat, survey finds (Business Post) Catastrophe bond sales hit record as insurers offload climate risks (FT) We need to talk about AI’s staggering ecological impact (Irish Times) An unexpected green roof benefit: purging urban rainfall of practically all microplastics (Anthropocene Magazine) EU to compensate exporting industries for carbon levy (Reuters)  Resources The July Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) newsletter has published with: Guidance for organisation on aligning transition and financial planning The Transition Finance Playbook: A practical guide for financial institutions  to scale up their transition finance activities The Finance for the Future Awards winners A recap of the A4S Summit 2025 An update on the strategic partnership between Social Value International (SVI) and A4S to advance the ‘True & Fair Project’, SVI’s global initiative to ensure that sustainability is not sidelined in financial decision making. A link to the TNFD 2025 Status Report Survey, which will track the global uptake of nature-related assessment and reporting practices and will inform the 2025 Status Report, launching during Climate Week NYC. Sign up to receive the A4S newsletter. Events Business for Biodiversity Ireland,  Webinar: Introducing the Nature-Based Enterprise This webinar on new market opportunities in nature-based solutions will bring together communities of nature-based enterprises, working with and for nature, delivering nature-based solutions helping to address business dependencies and risks from nature loss and climate change.  Whether you are interested in benefiting from nature-based solutions to climate adaptation, developing new products and services, you are a start-up business in this area, or you will have businesses like these in your supply chain, this webinar provides a good understanding of how your business can participate in the nature positive economy and go nature positive!  Virtual (Teams), 20 August, 12-1pm UN Global Compact (Swiss Network) Managing Risks in Supply Chains: When On-Demand Labour Becomes Forced Labour How does your business model and sourcing strategy cause or contribute to social and environmental risks along your value chain; and how exposed are your business activities to risks embedded in your purchased goods and services?  This series of webinars (convened by the UNGC’s Swiss Network) will take you through innovative approaches to conducting risk assessments and gaining actionable insights that can then be addressed through collaborative, data-driven approaches with measurable results. Using a case study approach the Equiception team will share their experiences in multiple economic sectors and regions of the world with a special focus on decent working conditions, forced labour and child labour.  Webinar, 28 August 2025 | 12:30-14:00   Business in the Community, Accredited carbon literacy training This Accredited Carbon Literacy Training session event is hosted by Business in the Community Northern Ireland, and aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to understand and act on climate change, helping organizations reduce their carbon footprint. The training is certified and designed to support sustainability leadership across sectors.  In person, Wednesday, 3 September 9:00 - 17:00, Craigavon Civic Centre, 66 Lakeview Rd, Craigavon BT64 1AL,   ICAEW, Sustainability in Practice A morning of expert-led discussion, practical exercises, and peer learning—all focused on helping you build and deliver impactful sustainability services. In person, 3 September, 8.30-12.00, Chartered Accountant Hall, Moorgate Place, London, EC2R6EA   UN Global Compact (Swiss Network) Managing Risks in Supply Chains: Does High Quality Equal Compliance? The case of surgical goods made by children This is the third and last session of our three-part webinar series on 'Managing Risks in Supply Chains: A Series for Data-Driven Action'. This last session focuses on the case of surgical goods made by children. Are high-quality goods more likely to be produced in high-quality facilities? The value chain of surgical instruments proves otherwise. Children can be found grinding "Made in Germany" scalpels in informal sector workshops in Pakistan. Worse, this situation has been repeatedly exposed over three decades. What can companies learn from this case and how can public and private procurement and sourcing professionals avoid similar risks?  Webinar, 18 September 2025 | 12:30-14:00   Diversity Mark, Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2025 This event will explore how diversity and inclusion can drive sustainable business growth, gathering over 300 business leaders, executives, and inclusion advocates for a full-day programme featuring keynote speakers and breakout sessions. It aims to equip attendees with practical strategies to create more inclusive workplaces and foster meaningful change across sectors. In person, October 2025, Titanic Belfast  Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.  

In Irish news this week, the Institute has met with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Enhanced Reporting Requirements for employers has been identified, in a recent report to Government, as a significant competitive challenge to doing business in Ireland. In UK news, read HM Treasury’s response to the Institute’s April 2025 letter on the Autumn Budget 2024 changes to key inheritance tax reliefs and we are encouraging members to complete the Administrative Burden Advisory Board’s annual survey on HMRC. In International news, the European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence on the General Block Exemption Regulation. Irish The Institute’s Tax and Public Policy team met with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, to discuss current sentiment among SMEs and the challenges they face in terms of labour, operating and regulatory costs. The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council’s recent report highlights the Enhanced Reporting Requirements for employers compliance costs for SMEs as a competitiveness concern. UK Read HM Treasury response to the Institute’s April 2025 letter on the Autumn Budget 2024 changes to key inheritance tax reliefs, which were subsequently confirmed as proceeding earlier this week on L-day. The 2025 ABAB survey on HMRC is open for completion. International The European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence on the General Block Exemption Regulation as it assesses the potential tofurther simplification. Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount. You can also read this week’s post EU exit corner here.          

As we predicted earlier this week, following HM Treasury’s response to the Institute’s letter on this issue, on L-day earlier this week the Government published draft finance bill clauses which confirm that the changes to APR and BPR will be proceeding as planned from April 2026. In the draft legislation as it currently stands, none of the recommended mitigations proposed by the Institute have been included. Read the Institute’s Press Release reacting to this in which we are seeking a special derogation from these changes for Northern Ireland, given the disproportionate impact of this in the region on the agricultural sector and family owned businesses. The Institute is currently considering what further action is needed on this important issue and is also seeking to discuss this with local government. A full report on the other key announcements from L-day will feature in Chartered Accountants Tax News on Monday 28 July. However, in the meantime, it is noteworthy that buried amongst the L-day publications is welcome confirmation that the Government has shelved Making Tax Digital for corporation tax.

Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy, Chartered Accountants Ireland said “Today’s revised National Development Plan (NDP) is a strong statement of intent towards securing Ireland’s competitiveness in the coming decade. It is encouraging to see such significant emphasis on addressing housing over the next five years. 1 in 4 SMEs surveyed by Chartered Accountants Ireland in April reported that their business has lost employees or seen prospective employees unable to take a role due to the unavailability of affordable housing. “Housing is only one element of the puzzle, however. We know the critical levers to delivery also include energy and water, so these significant deficits in the State’s infrastructure need to be addressed holistically if Ireland is to fully realise its ambition of becoming a place where businesses can thrive. Today’s announcements are a step in the right direction. “Another of the most frequent barriers encountered by our 40,000 members is access to childcare. Despite featuring as a key commitment in the Programme for Government, the revised NDP lacks detail on how more childcare places will be created for working parents. Greater priority must be given to an issue that so fundamentally affects the labour market. “As an all-island body, the Institute also welcomes the focus in the NDP on the Shared Island Fund, and we look forward to engaging with stakeholders on how the NDP will deliver cross-border infrastructure projects.”

Chartered Accountants Ireland has introduced an Annual Return for those firms supervised for AML purposes pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering Supervision Regulations - TCSPs and Bookkeepers (The Regulations). The Regulations provide for the Institute’s AML supervision of trust and company service providers (TCSPs) and bookkeepers which fall within the Institute’s supervisory remit under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 as amended (the Act) and related agreements. These are entities which: are TCSPs and/or bookkeepers; and include Institute members amongst the entity's principals; and are not subject to the Public Practice Regulations since they do not provide any services which would meet the definition of public practice in the Public Practice Regulations; and are not subject to AML supervision by another competent authority pursuant to agreements between the Institute and other competent authorities as provided for by the Act. The annual return should be submitted by 31 August 2025. Queries should be directed to Professional Standards. Further information on the registration and supervision of members for AML purposes can be found on our authorisations page of our website.

Northern Ireland should be excluded from UK Government proposals to restrict the benefit of two key Inheritance Tax reliefs; agricultural property relief and business property relief, because of the disproportionate impact this is already having on the region’s agricultural sector and family-owned businesses. Chartered Accountants Ireland, the largest professional body on the island of Ireland, which represents over 5,000 members in Northern Ireland reiterated its position after the Government published draft legislation for the next Finance Bill. As announced last October, from April 2026, 100% relief will be limited to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property, with any value above this receiving relief at 50%, effectively resulting in an inheritance tax liability of 20%. Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, Cróna Clohisey said: “Yesterday on ‘L-day’, the Government published the draft Finance Bill clauses for this policy change which confirms, disappointingly, that they will commence from April 2026 as planned. On behalf of members, this Institute has engaged extensively with Government to emphasise the impact this will have in Northern Ireland. Farming is the biggest industry in NI, and farms and family-owned businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. “We recognise that in the current geopolitical and economic environment, difficult decisions are necessary, however, we feel that the impact of these changes has not been fully considered on a regional basis and will hit Northern Ireland harder. It is already causing forced, premature business sales and the loss of jobs, lives and livelihoods. Although we have some of the highest land prices in the UK, what the government has failed to grasp is that land values here do not correlate to the income generated. Any value is tied up in land and assets, not cash.” Data from the NI Assembly already suggests that by 2026 these changes will affect approximately 75 percent of dairy farms in Northern Ireland, which account for 60 percent of owned land and provide the majority of food production in NI. Clohisey continued: “Ultimately the Government is taking a broad-brush approach to address specific concerns that ‘non-farmers’ are investing in land to avoid inheritance tax. As a result, they are missing the opportunity to reframe this policy and include a range of mitigations to protect genuine farming activity and family-owned businesses.” Chartered Accountants Ireland is urging the Government to find a way to introduce a carve out for agricultural and family-owned business sectors in Northern Ireland. If there is not a willingness to do so, the Institute is calling on the Government to amend the draft legislation to include a range of mitigations. This would enable the Government to target this policy more effectively and reduce its negative impact before the legislation begins its journey through Parliament after the summer recess. ENDS

Strong social connections not only impact our mental health but our physical health too. Feeling socially connected is more important than ever, especially after a long period where our social interactions were restricted, and our close circle reduced. Here, Thrive discusses the importance of maintaining and prioritising our relationships for our overall health. We're designed to be social We all know that comforting upbeat feeling of human connection, when you come away from a catch up with friends feeling more positive, happier, and even lighter. As a species, human beings are inherently social creatures.  We are biologically wired to seek out connection from a time where humans hunted in tribes and being part of a group was necessary for survival. Humans need closeness, connection, and a sense of unity to thrive. Social connection is one of our core psychological needs which means it plays an essential role in how safe and satisfied we feel in our lives. Social groups provide us with an important part of our identity, forming who we are and teach us a set of skills and norms that help us to function throughout life. In today’s world though we lead increasingly busy lives trying to juggle and balance work, family, and other commitments. Often our friendships can fall to the wayside. However, strong connection and belonging to something bigger than ourselves are important for our overall health and wellbeing. The benefits of connectedness should not be overlooked, and therefore as a society we should be placing greater emphasis on investing in our friendships. The more connected we feel to other people, the more enriched our life becomes. Friendship and being part of a social group offer a variety of mental health benefits. It increases our feeling of belonging, boosts our sense of purpose, and improves our self-worth and confidence. Connectiveness helps us regulate our emotions, leads to higher levels of empathy and compassion, and can even reduce our stress levels. Studies show that people who feel connected to others report lower rates of anxiety and depression. Not only does good social connection impact our psychological wellbeing, its impacts our physical health as well. Countless studies have shown a lack of human connection and feelings of loneliness are more harmful to our health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk. It can even lengthen our lives. Extensive research that looked at the lifestyles of inhabitants within Blue Zone areas, a term given to geographically regions that are home to some of the world’s oldest people, found healthy social networks and high levels of community engagement were commonalities among the differing zones. Our relationships and social groups can alter the course of our life, shape the person we are and can change our perception of ourselves and the world as well as offer an important support system.  So as you can see, social connectedness creates a positive cycle of good social, emotional and physical wellbeing. To forge happy and healthy relationships, it is very important we continually attend to and nurture our connection with the people we consider important in our lives. After an incredibly long period where our social interactions were restricted and ultimately reduced, you may find your sense of connection has diminished. Here are some ways you can improve your social health and reignite your connection with others; Reach out to a friend you may have lost touch with or haven't seen in a while, remember it’s never too late to spark up an old friendship! Join a new club or try out a group activity: focus in on your interests and you’ll be sure to find a club or group full of like-minded people. Volunteer: this can strengthen your sense of purpose, provides an opportunity to meet new people and give back to your community. Invite a co-worker out for lunch: In-office days are great for connecting with your co-workers. Why not reconnect with your favourite work colleague or arrange a work group activity. Spend quality time with family: this could be planning a family BBQ, a movie night on the weekend or a family day out. Be Present: Step away from your devices when you are in company and have an uninterrupted chat. Social isolation is a challenging aspect of life to cope with and is detrimental to your health, please know the Thrive team is here to lend a friendly ear, if and when you need it most.

IAASA has issued a public consultation on their draft work programme for the period 2026 – 2028. Please see the consultation and draft work programme . The due date is no later than 5pm on 22 August 2025.

Revenue has amended its guidance on the provision of services in Irish. The updated manual reflects the most up to date position within Revenue regarding the provision of Irish services under the Official Languages Act, 2003 and the Official Languages Act (Amended) 2020.

Revenue has updated its self-assessment guidance on the consideration of standards of proof when making or amending Revenue assessments. The guidance has been updated throughout to include examples to illustrate how the various sections of Part 41A TCA 1997 apply.