A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Number of firms offering cars rises

The number of companies offering cars as part of their remuneration package increased last year, despite changes to the laws governing taxation of company benefits, a survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting showed.

More companies are offering car benefits to a range of junior and middle management positions, the survey revealed, with an increase to 68 per cent from 57 per cent of companies that reported offering benefits to some or all of their junior to middle managers.

Vote at Shannon Development

Workers at Shannon Development last night voted in favour of industrial action, in response to alleged excessive interference by board members in the day-to-day running of the semi-state body.

According to senior Siptu official Tony Kenny, there was "an overwhelming endorsement" in the ballot to press ahead with industrial action.

Concern over pensions growing

Concern about pensions is growing, even among those in defined benefit schemes, according to a new survey by Standard Life.

Almost half of those in a pension scheme believe that their pension will be insufficient to maintain their standard of living in retirement, the survey said.

Moreover, 40 per cent of those in defined benefit schemes, that is a pension based on the employee's final salary, do not believe their retirement funds will be adequate.

Defined benefit schemes are usually thought to be the most secure type of pension, whereas other funds depend on the price of equities and also employee contributions.

One EU payment area on agenda

The European Commission will today propose creating a single payments area across the EU, in an effort to save billions of euro in transaction costs to consumers and businesses.

If implemented, the directive would enable people to make payments electronically across national borders within the EU, using national debit cards, direct debits and credit transfers.

Smart strikes deal for internet calls

Smart Telecom is set to provide low-cost internet phone calls following a deal with another Irish company, Global Voice.

Global Voice, an Irish-based, Singapore-listed telecoms company, has agreed to provide Smart with the network needed to offer internet phone call services to its customers.

SkillSoft profits rise by 38%

SkillSoft, the e-learning firm formed by a merger between SkillSoft and Irish-based SmartForce, has reported a 38 per cent rise in profits in the third quarter to $5.7 million (€4.8 million).

The boost in profitability was due to a cutback on research and development spending and operating expenses, according to the company.

First Active raises €1.75 billion

Irish mortgage lender First Active has raised €1.75 billion, a record for Ireland, through the launch of its ninth public mortgage-backed securitisation.

The issue, which is secured on a portfolio of Irish residential mortgages, gives First Active's parent, Ulster Bank, access to the asset-backed financial markets.