A roundup of today's other stories in brief:
35,000 register for disposable 3V credit card
Around 35,000 people have registered for the 3V disposable credit card since its launch six months ago.
The prepaid 3V card, operated by Permanent TSB and electronic transactions company Alphyra in association with credit card issuer Visa, can be used to shop on the internet, over the phone or by mail order anywhere where standard Visa cards are accepted.
A voucher can be purchased by anyone aged 16 years or older who has a mobile phone and an e-mail address, making it a convenient e-shopping tool for people who cannot obtain a credit card. There is a €5 surcharge for each voucher purchased and a €1.50 redemption fee on unused funds.
Flights and CDs are the most popular items purchased using the cards, according to Irish company 3V Transaction Services, which created the card.
Warning issued over cash funds
Cash funds are not the right place to leave money over the long term, according to F & C Asset Management, which has criticised the UK Government's decision to include cash funds in its child trust fund initiative.
F & C said share-based investments were more risky than cash savings, but it added that some parents had been swayed into lower risk, lower return cash funds by offers of free gifts and other incentives by British banks and building societies.
"Over long periods of time, the real value of cash is slowly eroded by inflation. So, whilst cash is ideal for short-term savings, security during periods of volatility or as a sensible option to shift money as the investment nears maturity, we still believe it is no place to park money for 18 years," the asset managers said.
