Share

Cork Today
Dog Fouling a major hazard
•
Dog Fouling is not just unpleasant it is a major hazard Katy Harrington Features Editor with the Irish Independent
on dog dirt on the streets of Cork
More episodes
View all episodes
Switching mortgage providers on the increase
12:46|Switching mortgage providers on the increase Martina Hennessy from doddl.ie join Patricia Switching your mortgage: once a daunting, paperwork-ridden nightmare, now a savvy financial move. According to the Irish Independent and Doddle.ie’s Mortgage Switching Index, the value of switcher financing in Ireland skyrocketed by 45% last year. Why? Because homeowners are waking up, smelling the financial coffee, and realising they can save thousands by shopping around. Martina Hennessy, Chief Executive of Doddle.ie, explained the trend on C103, revealing just how much money is being left on the table by sticking with your current lender. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.---Switching Isn’t Just for Utility BillsGone are the days when switching your mortgage felt like trying to climb Croagh Patrick in flip-flops. Banks have made it easier, faster, and far less painful. "We’ve seen switches completed in just 10 working days," says Hennessy, a huge improvement from the six-to-eight-week slog it used to take.The incentives are also bigger than ever. Banks are rolling out cashback offers (up to 2% of your mortgage value) to cover legal fees, and digital processes mean less paperwork and fewer headaches. Think of it as the financial equivalent of ordering your groceries online instead of queuing at the supermarket.---The Savings Are No JokeHere’s the kicker: the gap between the lowest and highest mortgage rates in Ireland is massive. Currently, the best rates hover around 3%, while the worst can exceed 6.15%. For the average mortgage of €334,000, that difference translates into savings of €7,000 a year—or nearly €600 a month. That’s not just pocket change; that’s holiday money, school fees, or the deposit on a second-hand car.As Hennessy puts it, “Imagine someone handing you €450 in cash every month. You’d take it, wouldn’t you?” Yet many homeowners are still reluctant to switch, clinging to old fears that the process is too complicated. Spoiler: it isn’t.---Green Homes, Green SavingsIf your home is energy-efficient, you’ve got even more reasons to switch. Many lenders now offer “green rates” for homes with strong Building Energy Ratings (BERs). Even if you’re not living in a solar-powered palace, rising property values could mean your loan-to-value ratio has improved, making you eligible for lower interest rates.---Repeat Switchers: The MVPs of Mortgage ManagementNot only can you switch your mortgage once, but you can do it multiple times. In fact, repeat switchers are Doddle.ie’s favourite clients. “It’s about reviewing your mortgage every few years,” says Hennessy. Fixed-rate periods typically last three to five years, and rolling onto a variable rate without shopping around is like leaving money on the table. Don’t do it.What About ECB Rate Cuts?While the European Central Bank (ECB) may cut rates this year, don’t expect it to drastically change your mortgage unless you’re on a tracker rate. Most Irish mortgages are tied to the Euribor rate, which has already adjusted for anticipated ECB cuts. So, if you’re holding out for a miracle rate drop, you might be waiting a while.In a time when everything costs more—groceries, energy, a pint at the pub—your mortgage is one area where you can claw back some much-needed cash. As Hennessy says, “Your home is your home; your mortgage is just a financial product.” Treat it like one. Shop around, save money, and stop paying more than you need to.So, Ireland, the message is clear: ditch the loyalty, embrace the switch, and start saving. Your wallet will thank you.Cork family who lost a husband & dad to pulmonary fibrosis
11:26|Cork family who lost a husband & dad to pulmonary fibrosisPrimary school children have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms
11:56|Primary school children have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedroomsCorkToday 10 February 2025
01:41:58|We are joined by Minister of State at the Department of Education Michael Moynihan on the struggles parents face to obtain a school place for their child Farmers wish to form tree-cutting groups to protect power lines Further discussion on the delay in the HRT RolloutOn our Citizens Information segment, we talk about Getting Married What to do with used stamps!Nutritional advice this week with AnnelieseNutritional advice with Anneliese 10 February 2025
16:10|Nutritional advice with Anneliese 10 February 2025Further discussion on the delay in the HRT Rollout
12:57|The Irish government’s promise of free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has gone from a triumphal announcement to a sticky mess, leaving women and pharmacists alike frustrated. The scheme, heralded last October as a win for women’s health, was meant to roll out in January. Instead, it’s become a case study in how not to deliver public health policy. Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell didn’t mince her words: “It’s almost embarrassing working in this kind of health system.” Speaking on C103, she revealed that community pharmacists were blindsided by the announcement, hearing about it on the radio like the rest of us. No guidance, no infrastructure, and no communication from the government. “It was welcome in theory,” said Mitchell, noting that 70% of pharmacists in Ireland are women, many of whom would benefit directly from the scheme. But theory isn’t practice. “The model is completely unworkable,” she added, pointing out that the government doesn’t even seem to understand how pharmacies are paid under state schemes. Women were told HRT would be free starting January 1st. But when they turned up at their local pharmacies, they were met with confusion, embarrassment, and bills. Louise, a frustrated taxpayer and HRT user, shared her experience: “It was the only thing us single women were getting. I was delighted, but it’s been a disaster. I feel like it was just a vote-grabbing stunt.” Louise’s pharmacy, like many others, has tried to soften the blow, charging her less than they could. But at €45 a month, it’s still a hefty cost. If she went elsewhere, she’d be paying €80. “It adds up to a lot of money,” she said, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has proposed a solution: mirror the successful free contraception scheme. That programme covers GP visits and has a functioning IT system in place. Why not use the same model for HRT? It’s a no-brainer, but so far, the government hasn’t acted. Mitchell also highlighted a critical issue: stock shortages. “Today, I can’t get any licensed oestrogen patches,” she said. The unlicensed versions are twice the price, and the state will only reimburse pharmacies if the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) confirms the licensed ones are out of stock. But drug companies don’t always notify the HPRA. It’s a logistical nightmare. The HRT debacle is just the tip of the iceberg for Ireland’s community pharmacies. Chronic underfunding and outdated fee structures are pushing them to the brink. “Pharmacies are an essential part of our primary healthcare system,” said Mitchell, noting that they administered over 57% of children’s flu vaccinations this year. But without proper funding and communication, their ability to provide vital services is under threat. “We can’t keep doing this,” Mitchell warned. With a new female Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, there’s hope the government might finally start listening. But for now, women like Louise are left waiting—and paying—for a scheme that was supposed to be a lifeline.Farmers wish to form tree-cutting groups to protect power lines
07:21|Farmers wish to form tree-cutting groups to protect power lines