THOUSANDS of Irish workers are set for a “substantial cash injection” as a new saving scheme that’s set to come into effect in just months.

The My Future Fund is a new pension scheme that puts thousands into your pension pot, even if you are yet to save for retirement.

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And the new auto-enrolment retirement savings scheme will be introduced from January 1, 2026.

Under the scheme, the employee, employer, and Government all pay a certain amount into the employee’s pension fund.

A new public body, the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority, will be set up to administer the Auto-enrolment scheme.

The scheme will be supervised by the Pensions Authority.

Askpaul answers Ireland’s Paul Merriman has explained the new scheme is set to put thousands into a pension pot, even those who are currently saving for retirement.

He added: “Employees in Ireland can look forward to a substantial cash injection as the government plans to roll out a new pension scheme that puts thousands into your pension pot, even if you are yet to save for retirement.”

Under the scheme, for every €3 contributed by the employee, the employer will match it with another €3, whilst the Government adds €1, ensuring that your initial €3 evolves to €7.

A salary of €20,000 a year will grow the pension pot by €700 in the first year and rise to €2,800 per year after 10 years.

Employer and government contributions are capped at €80,000 gross annual salary.

As a result, for the first 3 years, an employer can only contribute up to €1,200 a year.

Employees who earn over €80,000 will still receive the scheme however, contributions will remain capped at €80,000.

Employees will be automatically enrolled if they are aged between 23 and 60, earn €20,000 or more per year and not already in a pension plan.

Employees who earn below €20,000 can choose to opt into the scheme.

DO BOSSES HAVE TO PARTICIPATE?

If your employer chooses not to execute auto-enrolment, they may face penalties.

However, there are no plans to make employers enrol in the scheme.

The scheme differs from traditional workplace pensions, and your money stays with you from job to job.

You will again be automatically enrolled in your new workplace.

When enrolled, employees are required to stay in the scheme for a minimum of six months.

A refund is issued if an employee opts out before the six months.

Employees can suspend their contributions at any time. However, no refund will be given.

OPT OUT

If you opt out and are not entitled to a refund, you will still be able to receive your pension pot in retirement.

Paul added: “If you are starting your career, auto-enrolment is a great chance to get ahead and save for your pension before you have ‘got used’ to the money in your bank.

“If you opt out of the scheme, it’s wise to consider that you also opt out of government and employer contributions, essentially free money.

“You may miss out on tax benefits if you are a high-income earner.”

TAX RELIEF

He continued: “When you contribute to a pension, the government typically provides tax relief.

“However, with auto-enrolment, you lose these savings because your employer and the government don’t match contributions over €80,000.

“Consequently, high earners often have less money than traditional pension plans. If you’re planning to retire early, auto-enrolment may not be suitable.

“Unlike occupational pension schemes that allow early access after leaving a job, auto-enrolment postpones access until the standard retirement age.”

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A YOUNG couple accused of murdering their two-week-old baby in a special care baby unit casually walked out for a cigarette as medics desperately tried to resuscitate their son’s lifeless body, a court heard today.

Brendon Gunter suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of his parents, Sophie Staddon, 23, and Daniel Gunter, 25, Charles Row KC, told the jury at Bristol Crown Court.

Jon Rowley

Sophie Staddon, 23, is accused of murdering her two-week-old baby in a special care baby unit[/caption]

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Daniel Gunter, 25, is also on trial for murder[/caption]

Both defendants, of no fixed address, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing Brendon’s death.

A jury of eight men and four women were sworn in the case, which is due to take four weeks.

Charles Row KC said the child had been born seven weeks prematurely at Yeovil District Hospital in February 2024 and had been progressing well and was preparing to go home when the young couple struck with devastating consequences.

Mr Row told the jury: “You need I am afraid to understand the level of sheer brutality involved in this killing.

“His head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe with deep scratches to his neck.

“He was later found to have a broken neck, broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.

“Medical staff scooped up his limp and lifeless body and carried him to the resuscitation area a few paces from where he lay.

“His heart had stopped beating. Doctors and nurses tried desperately to do everything they could but Brendon did not respond.

“As medical staff rushed to try and save him Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon walked outside to have a cigarette.

“Despite being right there, just feet from where Brendon was attacked, each of the defendants denies causing the injuries and each of them denies knowing who did.”

A post mortem examination on Brendon by Home Office pathologist Dr Russell Delaney found that the cause of death was due to blunt force impact to his head.

Mr Row said: “Dr Delaney will also describe the multiple traumatic internal injuries; complex skull fractures, fractures to the cervical spine and cord, a fractured jaw, bleeding in the neck muscles, bruising in the soft tissues of the chest, bleeding in the lungs, bleeding within the heart and generalised bruising in the tissues of the back, legs and arms.”

Staddon and Gunter, 25, both deny the murder of their new-born son Brendon at Yeovil District Hospital on March 5, 2024.

The trial continues but the jury are due to be take on a site visit to Yeovil District Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit on Wednesday.

Yesterday we reported how a mum who abused her baby so badly he had to have both legs amputated was released from prison.

Jody Simpson, 33, and her partner Anthony Smith, 53, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for causing or allowing the torture of their son Tony Hudgell, now 10.

Now, the cruel parent has walked free from prison – after serving only around six years of her sentence.

Double-amputee Tony, who is the youngest ever recipient of the British Empire Medal for his fundraising efforts, faces life-long challenges due to the injuries he received as a tot.

But, after two years on license Simpson will face no conditions on her freedom.

Simpson was first released from prison on license in February 2023 – after only serving five years of her sentence.

Then, less than a year later in May 2024, the monster was recalled to prison after starting a relationship with a sex offender – in breach of her conditions.

She was due to be automatically re-released earlier this year, but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stepped in – forcing Simpson to face a parole hearing on May 19.

Now, it can be revealed that she has been released, with strict license conditions controlling what she does for the next couple of years.

Simpson will have to report any new relationships to her probation officer, get regularly drug tested and will be GPS tagged.

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Brendon Gunter suffered catastrophic injuries, a court heard[/caption]

Jon Rowley

Both deny the murder of their new-born son Brendon[/caption]

In November 2024, 11 suspects, including a City of Tshwane employee, were arrested for allegedly stealing a transformer worth R7 million.

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MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-four persons were arrested for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation in Tarlac, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) announced. The alleged illegal gambling operation was busted on Sunday afternoon at an event center in San Vicente, the PNP ACG said in a statement on Tuesday. Among the arrested individuals

Super Lotto Jackpot Winner – A ticket sold in Barangay Krus na Ligas in Quezon City bagged Php 97.9 million jackpot prize of the Super Lotto 6/49 game on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

The post QC bettor wins Php 97.9M Super Lotto jackpot appeared first on PCSOLOTTO.PH.

PLANNING permission for a long-awaited bypass has been approved in a “great day” for road safety.

An Coimisiún Pleanala approved the project for the construction of a 3.5km bypass around Slane in Meath, including a dual carriageway as well as a 258-metre-long bridge over the historic River Boyne.

RTE NEWS COLLECT

RTE NEWS COLLECT

In its ruling, the planning appeals board said the new infrastructure would significantly reduce traffic hazard risks by lowering the volume of HGVs through Slane village.

The development has been welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Wayne Harding who has long been campaigning for a new route to replace the road which takes about 17,000 vehicles daily and has taken 23  lives over the years.

A previous application was refused 13 years ago amid claims by An Bord Pleanala that it would affect the World Heritage site of Bru na Boinne.

Cllr Wayne Harding said: “The announcement that the Slane bypass has finally received planning permission has been met with great excitement.

“For decades there has been a campaign to get the very dangerous N2 out of Slane village.

“The road through the village has been the scene of countless accidents causing the deaths of 23 people.

“A 2012 decision to refuse the bypass was met with deep anger and frustration.

“But since then, an application has been painstakingly rebuilt by Meath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

 “This decision today is not just on the N2 north/south bypass, but will also see millions of investment in a public realm plan which will completely transform Slane.

“All aspects of village life across all generations are impacted by the road. 

“Every child in Slane village must use the road to enter their school, as do the members of the very popular Slane Men’s Shed.

“The campaign has gone on that long that different people from the community picked up the baton to keep the need for the bypass at the forefront of all national decision makers over many years.

“I want to particularly mention John Ryle and Michele Cullen Power today. “

The approved project will also include a village park and interpretive centres.

In its ruling, An Coimisiún Pleanala said it approved the development “generally as recommended by the reporting inspector.”

It said it would pose “a significant traffic hazard risk reduction by the reduction in volume and type (HGVs) of through traffic in Slane village centre.”

It would also have positive impact for reduction in journey time and indirect economic effects, it said.

In a statement, Meath County Council said: “Following receipt of notification from An Coimisiún Pleanála this morning (Tuesday, July 1, 2025), Meath County Council is delighted to announce the approval of the N2 Slane Bypass and Public Realm Enhancement Scheme, and confirmation of the CPO associated with same.”

A CLEVER mum has revealed how she gets her weekly shop for as little as £22 with yellow sticker bargains.

The UK-based mum took to social media to share the hack which saw her score a huge stash of food for a bargain price.

Tiktok/@hiltontraveltales

The savvy mu shared her hack for getting her big shop done for £22[/caption]

Tiktok/@hiltontraveltales

This wasn’t even half the food she managed to grab[/caption]

In the clip, the mum sat outside the car park of her local Morrison’s store as she shared her hack.

And while many assume closing time prices were better, the mum urged people to try a different time and a specific day.

She said: “We’ve been keeping a little secret because we like saving money.”

“Everyone that we tell is like, ‘Oh my God, that’s incredible.'”

The mum and her partner said that on a Sunday they head down to Morrison’s and wait for the store to open.

She then races towards the ‘whoopsie fridge’, a place where products that have been slashed in price are put.

Inside, there’s a whole host of goodies to grab on a budget.

She added: “Everything is reduced by 90% more or less. Now my fridge is full, I have meal plans done and it costs us 22 quid.”

When she got back home, she shared her massive haul of goodies.

The mum was able to find a pack of six chicken breasts reduced to £1.30, yoghurts, fish, pork, ribeye steaks, cod fillets, sausages, burgers, lamb kofta, fruit, fish pie and prawns.

She revealed that the shop should have cost her £111 but she got it for just £22.

The mum planned to put the meat in the freezer to make sure it lasted and was happy to share her hack.

The clip went viral on her TikTok account @hiltontraveltales with over 154k views and 4,000 likes.

People were quick to thank her in the comments.

One person wrote: “I do this and freeze it, I save so much.”

Another commented: “Love a bargain, well done.”

“Amazing, well done folks,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “The last time your fridge will be full for a long time, watch that queue quadruple by next Sunday.”

“Fabulous! If it helps anyone then all for it!” she replied.

“I’m trying this,” claimed a fifth

Someone else added: “I need to do this with the cost of living.”

MAX VERSTAPPEN’s surprising reaction to his crash with Kimi Antonelli in Austria could be because they are ‘already team-mates’, an F1 icon reckons.

Antonelli’s Mercedes locked up and collided with the Red Bull of Verstappen during the first lap of Sunday’s F1 Austrian Grand Prix.

AFP

The crash took both drivers out of the race at the Red Bull Ring[/caption]

The notoriously edgy Dutchman was surprisingly relaxed in the wake of having his race ended by his young rival, being seen chatting calmly with the teenager after exiting their cars.

Verstappen’s friendly manner has added fuel to the fire of speculation that the defending champion could be joining Antonelli at Mercedes next season.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is a known admirer of Verstappen, and could look to further shake up his team after legend Lewis Hamilton made the switch to Ferrari this season.

Ex-Williams and McLaren cult hero Juan Pablo Montoya weighed in on the incident in conversation with BettingLounge.co.uk.

He said: “If you wanted to read into things, why was Max so nice to Kimi after their collision? Are they already teammates?”

Montoya also suggested that the Red Bull driver might have seen something of himself in Antonelli, who was late on the brakes into turn three and ploughed into the pack, clipping Verstappen’s Red Bull.

Montoya said: “I think when that happened, in the way it did, he goes – ‘I probably would have done the same thing.’

“Inside he would be laughing about it.”

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Verstappen was quick to wave the incident away after the race, saying: “Every driver has made a mistake like that.

“No one does that on purpose, so for me, that is not a big deal.”

Despite extensive whispers of a team change, Verstappen is still contracted to Red Bull until 2028, as team principal Christian Horner has been keen to remind speculators.

However, Antonelli’s current Mercedes partner George Russell remains in contract limbo, as the team consider their options ahead of the 2026 season.

Born in Bo‑Kaap, Haashim Pead earned his Junior Bok cap, now he dreams of franchise success, and eyes a future with the Springboks.