Congrats to Frances Ruane

Time Magazine

https://www.tcd.ie/Secretary/FellowsScholars/#FrancesRuane

Économiste Monétaire

Congratulations.

She is currently a member of the Higher Education Authority, [...], and the Council of Economic Advisors to the First Minister of Scotland.

Even they have one...

silverharp

forecasting doesnt seem to be her strong point:p

http://www.daft.ie/report/frances-ruane

10th January 2008

Interest rates and job prospects hold key to buyer confidence
What of the prospects for 2008 and beyond? To the extent that the recent changes in stamp duty are seen as reducing uncertainty, they should lead to increased confidence. Economic growth rates will be lower than in previous years but not low relative to the rest of the EU, and taken with the growth in the population seeking housing should have a positive effect on demand. The labour market is forecast to show slowly in 2008, with both incomes and employment rising but at a much slower rate than in recent years. On the other side, threats of increases in the ECB rate have not gone away, and this will lead buyers to be cautious. Furthermore, buyers may be affected by the credit tightening as banks seek to strengthen their loan portfolios. In terms of market prices and volumes, the behaviour of builders and developers in releasing stocks for sale will also be important in certain parts of the market. The ESRI's Winter Quarterly Economic Commentary anticipates that house prices will stabilise during 2008. While many factors influencing the housing market remain positive, it is the level of confidence felt by consumers feel over the course of the year that will be crucial in determining the final outcome.