Despite easing inflation, Irish drinkers are facing higher prices at the bar following another increase in the wholesale cost of Guinness, highlighting pressures in the hospitality sector that continue to outpace broader price trends.

Irish drinkers are being asked to pay more for pints even as inflation across the wider economy shows signs of easing. Earlier this week, drinks giant Diageo confirmed that the wholesale price of a pint of Guinness will rise by 7 cent from February 3, marking the fifth increase in just three years.

Ireland already has the highest alcohol and tobacco prices in the European Union, at more than double the EU average, according to Eurostat data. Only Norway and Iceland are more expensive across the wider European Economic Area. The latest increase has renewed scrutiny on why pint prices continue to rise when headline inflation has slowed.

Publicans were quick to criticise the move, warning that the cumulative impact of supplier increases is becoming increasingly difficult to absorb. Since 2023, Diageo’s wholesale price increases amount to roughly 35 cent per pint. However, official figures show that the average price paid by consumers has risen by significantly more.

Pint prices rising faster than inflation

Central Statistics Office data shows the average price of a pint of stout in Ireland has increased by approximately 18 per cent since late 2022. Over the same period, the Consumer Price Index – which tracks the cost of a broad basket of goods and services – rose by just over 8 per cent.

That gap indicates that factors beyond general inflation are driving prices at the bar. Diageo has cited “industry-wide cost pressures”, including higher labour costs, energy prices and transport expenses. Publicans argue those pressures are being felt acutely at premises level, particularly following increases in the minimum wage and rising insurance and utility costs.

While supplier price hikes account for part of the increase, CSO data suggests they explain less than half of the overall rise faced by consumers. The remainder reflects a combination of higher operating costs and pricing decisions taken by pubs themselves.

Location, demand and policy choices

One key factor influencing average pint prices is regional variation. The CSO records substantial differences depending on location, with Dublin consistently more expensive than many regional towns. Studies have found the price of a pint of Guinness to be around €2 higher in Dublin than in counties such as Westmeath, while prices in high-demand areas such as Temple Bar regularly exceed national averages, particularly during major events.

These premium prices in tourist-heavy locations push up national averages and contribute to faster headline pint price inflation. Demand also remains resilient. Ireland continues to have some of the highest average wages in the EU, and earnings growth has broadly tracked increases in pint prices, supporting consumers’ ability to pay despite rising costs.

Alcohol pricing in Ireland is also shaped by deliberate policy choices. High excise duties – estimated at around 55 cent per pint – and minimum unit pricing, introduced in 2022, are designed to curb alcohol consumption by reflecting its broader social and health costs. Policymakers have repeatedly argued that higher prices play a role in reducing harmful drinking.

While alcohol consumption per adult has declined significantly over the past two decades, public health data shows binge drinking remains a concern. Against that backdrop, falling inflation has not translated into cheaper pints – and there is little indication that this is likely to change.

In 2026, ordering a pint in Ireland may still be a social ritual –  but hearing the price has become the sobering part.

Every spring, it’s the same story. Just as Easter approaches, Spain’s income tax season rolls around – and with it, the familiar mix of confusion, procrastination and last-minute panic.

The 2026 tax return campaign, covering income earned in 2025, officially begins on April 8 and runs until June 30. On paper, the dates look familiar. In practice, though, there are a few changes this year that could make a difference, depending on your situation.

Not everyone will need to file. Some people will. Others might assume they don’t – and get caught out later. As ever, the detail matters.

April, May, June: how the campaign will actually work

From 8 April, the only way to submit your tax return will be online, either through Renta Web or the Tax Agency’s mobile app. That’s no longer a surprise. The system is now firmly digital, and officials expect more than four out of five returns to be filed this way.

For those who prefer speaking to a real person, patience is required. Telephone assistance will only be available from May 6, and face-to-face appointments at tax offices won’t start until June 1. In both cases, booking ahead is essential – and anyone who’s done this before knows appointments don’t hang around for long.

Whatever route you choose, the clock stops on June 30. After that, things get more expensive, and the Tax Agency is far less sympathetic.

Do you really have to file? Many people still get this wrong

This is where most of the confusion comes in – and where assumptions tend to cause problems.

If you had one payer in 2025, the rule is straightforward enough. You only need to file if you earned more than €22,000 gross over the year.

Things change if you had two or more payers. In that case, the threshold drops to €15,876, but only if the income from the second and subsequent payers exceeds €2,500. It’s not just about the total amount – it’s about where the money came from.

There is, however, a significant exception this year. Under Royal Decree-law 16/2025, people receiving non-contributory benefits or SEPE subsidies are exempt from filing. The same applies to those on unemployment benefits, meaning more than two million people won’t need to submit a return in this campaign.

It’s a relief for many – but it’s still worth double-checking your status before assuming you’re in the clear.

What’s changed – and what the Tax Agency is watching more closely

This year’s campaign also comes with a subtle but important shift in focus.

The Tax Agency has made it clear it will be paying closer attention to cases where declared income doesn’t seem to match a person’s lifestyle. In other words, visible signs of wealth that don’t quite add up on paper are more likely to raise questions.

There’s also a change that will affect the self-employed and professionals. The €3,000 threshold for reporting card payments has been removed. In practical terms, this means that most card transactions between professionals now fall under scrutiny – around 95 per cent of everyday operations, according to official estimates.

It’s part of a wider push to tighten controls and reduce fraud, but it also means there’s less margin for error when it comes to keeping records.

On a more positive note, the government says refund processing has improved. Official figures show that 97.5 per cent of refund requests from the previous campaign have already been paid, covering 95.5 per cent of the amounts owed. Any outstanding payments will be made with interest, as required by law.

Why this is one campaign you shouldn’t leave until the last minute

For many people, the tax return is something to be put off for as long as possible. But with more data being cross-checked, fewer thresholds in place and tighter monitoring, rushing through it at the end of June is riskier than it used to be.

Taking a bit of time to check whether you’re required to file, reviewing your income sources properly and choosing the right way to submit can save a lot of stress – and potentially money.

The 2026 Renta campaign may look familiar at first glance, but underneath, the rules are being applied more closely. And as April approaches, that’s something worth bearing in mind.

Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for the latest news from Spain

It’s probably a job offer you wouldn’t expect to see at a school leavers job fair, but nonetheless, it is a valued job that is making Rincon de la Victoria a happier and healthier place to live . . . and after all, someone’s got to do it!

In Rincon de la Victoria, a unique initiative is turning the tide on one of urban life’s messiest problems: dog waste littering public spaces. Local authorities have implemented a cutting-edge DNA testing programme for canine excrement, aimed at identifying negligent pet owners and promoting cleaner streets. According to the council, the effort has already led to a “major reduction” in dog poo across the town’s streets, parks, promenades, and residential areas.

The programme, managed by the town hall’s Health and Consumer Affairs department, involves publicly contracted officials who patrol streets to collect samples of unattended dog poo, document them, photograph them, and take away a sample for DNA testing. These officials follow a strict, legally recognised protocol, including precise, verifiable geolocating the site, taking detailed photographs of the offending item, and its surroundings, biologically sealing the sample, and maintaining a strict secure chain of custody to ensure fully legal integrity. Once collected, the samples are sent for analysis to a private company called ADN Canino, where laboratory staff—likely veterinary molecular biologists or specialised technicians – extract and compare DNA against the town’s municipal genetic census of registered dogs.

Detective work “reliable and fully guaranteed from a technical and legal standpoint”

This innovative system, described by the local authorities as “reliable and fully guaranteed from a technical and legal standpoint,” not only identifies the offending animal but also holds owners accountable through fines ranging from €75 to €500. However, the council stresses that the campaign is more educational than punitive. “Our goal is to raise awareness among pet owners about their responsibilities, protect shared spaces, and encourage respectful coexistence,” Ramos said. She highlighted the program’s role in encouraging responsible pet ownership, particularly for dogs, which has contributed to noticeably cleaner high-foot traffic zones.

The outsourced analysis firm boasts certifications under UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 for quality management and UNE-EN ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management, giving legal credibility the programme’s commitment to sustainability and rigour. 

Citizen involvement is key to the initiative’s success, for the council, transforming what could be a thankless task into a community-driven push for a healthier, more liveable town.

Since its launch, the DNA identification effort has proven effective, with visible improvements in urban hygiene. For Rincon de la Victoria, this quirky but essential job is proving that even the dirtiest duties can lead to a brighter, cleaner future.