View this email in your browser Business Today Thursday, 09 July, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader The new owners of Jervis Shopping Centre have submitted more change of use plans as they struggle with a near-30 per cent vacancy rate, writes Killian Woods. The latest proposal is to turn part of the former New Look store into a leisure and amusement centre featuring bowling alleys, mini electrical go-karts and an arcade. Large organisations in Ireland waste €667,000 on average every year on “zombie projects” – initiatives which no longer have any value, progress or strategic relevance but continue to consume time, money and resources – while neglecting their IT strategy, according to a new report from Saros Consulting. Conor Healy has the details. Minister for Finance Simon Harris has defended the likely need for the State to borrow in the coming year to fund commitments to two sovereign wealth funds, even as the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) warns that the interest bill on the national debt is on track to double to about €6 billion by the early 2030s. Joe Brennan reports. Continue Reading Dominic Coyle   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Markets Oil extends gains as US strikes in Iran rattle markets Work Humans: Just a ghost in the machine as artificial intelligence redefines ‘good jobs’ Business Zombie projects costing large organisations in Ireland ‘average of €667,000 a year’ Business Newsagents and local grocers push for cut in employer PRSI rates in Budget 2027 Business Jervis Shopping Centre owners target leisure-led revamp of vacant anchor unit Richard Cantillon Predictions of 75,000 home completions a year but not until 2035 MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business US strikes on Iran drag global shares lower Business DCC suitors get week to make bid as shareholders baulk at £5.7bn proposal Business Griffith College profit jumps 37% as it pursues expansion plans for Dublin campus Business Harris defends likely borrowing for funds even as Irish interest bill set to double Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE