Ireland’s 11 billionaires saw their wealth grow by a third, or €13 billion, last year, according to an Oxfam report released to coincide with the opening of the world Economic Forum annual gathering in Davos. In its Takers Not Makers report, Oxfam said global poverty remains at 1990 levels even as a modern oligarchy uses its wealth to build and consolidate political power. Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the details

In his column, Eoin, who is attending Davos this week, also shines a light on the annual schmoozefest and cautions that it now has a Marie Antoinette problem.

Affordability is becoming an increasing concern for first-time homebuyers even outside the Greater Dublin Area, according to a new report from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland which says recent house price inflation is unsustainable but that supply pressures will not be eased until the number of new homes built exceeds 40,000 a year.