Little Things

CHRISTMAS IS set to come early for thousands of savvy employees who signed up earlier this year to a savings scheme run by Michael Dawson’s the Gift Voucher Shop.

I’m told about €8 million worth of One4all gift vouchers will be released on November 30th to workers who having been putting away money each week in the run-up to Christmas.

The savings scheme was launched this year and allowed workers to make their contributions through their payrolls at no cost to the employer.

Vodafone, accountants Deloitte and law firm Matheson Ormsby Prentice were among those who took part. The savers will also get a free prize bond number for every €25 saved for use in December. The vouchers will be valid in 4,500 Irish shops including Argos, Brown Thomas, Easons, Harvey Norman and HMV.

Given the lack of consumer spending at present, the retailers must be licking their lips at the prospect of this money ringing through their tills next month.

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THE OCTOBER exchequer figures this week highlight how the State is squeezing its commercial semi-State enterprises for dividends to help shore up the national finances.

The Dublin Airport Authority handed over €19.4 million for 2008, a year in which its profits took a nosedive. This was its first payment to the State since 2004.

Dublin Port, meanwhile, coughed up €5.3 million, marginally more than the previous year. This was in spite of the volume of trade falling significantly as a result of recessionary pressures.

ESB, however, appears to have been given a break on its dividend payment. The electricity company paid €77 million to the exchequer for 2008, some €46 million below what it paid a year earlier.