Economic Trends - Economic Trends Q1

Economic Trends - Economic Trends Q1 - 2026 https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/ en-us 10 Apr 2026 11:40:31 IST 10 Apr 2026 11:40:31 IST https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/rss.xml Newsweaver conor@corkchamber.ie (Cork Chamber of Commerce) support@newsweaver.ie (Newsweaver) 60 true Changes to employee numbers https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1akeewplr9e?lang=en&rss=true 29% reported an increase in employee numbers this quarter, while 45% predict an increase in employee numbers over the next 12 months, an increase on recent surveys. 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 IST eb1a75f91f4eb152ce1443dc371ff741 Two Column Articles - Hero Image 29% reported an increase in employee numbers this quarter, while 45% predict an increase in employee numbers over the next 12 months, an increase on recent surveys.  https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/b4/1dce233e16c519c77534ca.jpg Barriers to hiring https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/gtwwg3h85p7?lang=en&rss=true Of the 50% of respondents with vacancies currently advertised, 41% report difficulties filling these roles. Specialist skills shortages remain the top barrier, increasing from a low of 46% in Q2 2025 to 66% in this quarter. 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 IST b77a234b60c617cb7cb6baeaf2f4810d Two Column Articles - Hero Image Of the 50% of respondents with vacancies currently advertised, 41% report difficulties filling these roles. Specialist skills shortages remain the top barrier, increasing from a low of 46% in Q2 2025 to 66% in this quarter. https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/cc/29d3314e69c0b4443f979d.jpg Confidence https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/38we9qxygs4?lang=en&rss=true 78% of respondents expressed confidence in the Irish economy in Q1 2026. Of the 22% who cited a lack of confidence in the Irish economy, geopolitical concerns, rising business costs and housing supply were the top concerns. 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 IST ad2ef058d9f71f4e844bd990a8e104d3 ARTICLE_1_COLUMN-clone-32694128-20220414-090440 78% of respondents expressed confidence in the Irish economy in Q1 2026.    Of the 22% who cited a lack of confidence in the Irish economy, geopolitical concerns, rising business costs and housing supply were the top concerns. https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/44/d21fc456dec4c77c9a0cfa.jpg Budget priorities https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/ts5xv37ynxh?lang=en&rss=true Business competitiveness measures, across costs, regulation and enterprise supports, emerged as the top priority for respondents when it comes to Budget 2027. Respondents cited investments in infrastructure and connectivity as the most important consideration for Ireland's overall economic competitiveness in the upcoming budget. 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 IST d7d3242f2e5c1a85c70f9257ef457c57 ARTICLE_1_COLUMN-clone-32694133-20220405-141712 <img src="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/b9/3ebff4e5fe74f10f572c5c.jpg" width="318" height="130" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="">   Business competitiveness measures, across costs, regulation and enterprise supports, emerged as the top priority for respondents when it comes to Budget 2027.    Respondents cited investments in infrastructure and connectivity as the most important consideration for Ireland's overall economic competitiveness in the upcoming budget.  Cork Projects https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/mlqjtt00u43?lang=en&rss=true 95% of respondents believe that additional government support is needed in Budget 2027 to support the delivery of key infrastructural, transport and housing projects for Cork. 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 IST d0398e106383a4c491d81939e101bcef Feature Article Image Right <img src="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/72/098b0a9402d84470c61684.jpg" width="284" height="162" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="">   95% of respondents believe that additional government support is needed in Budget 2027 to support the delivery of key infrastructural, transport and housing projects for Cork. Survey Results https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1rtkhh96xai?lang=en&rss=true [ https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1deos1vq249/external?lang=en ] The Q1 2026 Economic Trends survey of Cork Chamber members gathered insights into their experiences of doing business across January, February and March 2026. Sponsored by PTSB, this edition of the Economic Trends survey also sought members’ views on key business priorities ahead of Budget 2027. 09 Oct 2024 12:00:00 IST f148fc4ee21723f5a098bc79956fbed2 FEATURE_ARTICLE-clone-32694127-20220414-090757 <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 93.3065%; max-width: 100%; border-spacing: 0px; float: left; height: 375.426px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 375px;"> <td style="width: 47.6493%; padding: 10px;"> <a href="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1deos1vq249/external?lang=en"><img src="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/ab/98691b3163f54bd31d6ba9.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="187" height="312" alt=""></a> </td> <td style="width: 52.3402%; padding: 10px; vertical-align: top;">         The Q1 2026 Economic Trends survey of Cork Chamber members gathered insights into their experiences of doing business across January, February and March 2026.   Sponsored by PTSB, this edition of the Economic Trends survey also sought members’ views on key business priorities ahead of Budget 2027. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Charity winner https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/ju741trz9ls?lang=en&rss=true Thanks to all respondents who contributed to our Economic Trends Survey. The lucky winner of a €200 OptionsCard digital gift card this quarter is Sadhbh Warren, Red Rock Writing. 17 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT bbd09964d8eb9f7485c1ce10dae3e80d Standard Articles - Image Right <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 19.1285%;"><img src="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/9d/3a5aba1a1090d8d4282180.png" style="margin: 0px;" width="150" height="54" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt=""></td> <td style="width: 80.7843%; text-align: center;">Thanks to all respondents who contributed to our Economic Trends Survey. The lucky winner of a €200 OptionsCard digital gift card this quarter is Sadhbh Warren, Red Rock Writing.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Browse Full Results Online https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/lh6xeu29cle?lang=en&rss=true View more stats and results from our latest Economic Trends, which captures a snapshot of business experiences and of the overall operating landscape at the close of Q1 2026. 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 IST 97fbc4ab422b550864c87b9a3907f978 FEATURE_ARTICLE-clone-32694126-20220711-152607 View more stats and results from our latest Economic Trends, which captures a snapshot of business experiences and of the overall operating landscape at the close of Q1 2026.  https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/12/8e207e5c7e6a85804e2458.png Browse results here https://www.corkchamber.ie/quarterly-economic-trends/