Economic Trends - Economic Trends Q3 2026

Economic Trends - Economic Trends Q3 2026 https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/ en-us 02 Oct 2026 01:16:04 IST 02 Oct 2026 01:16:04 IST https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/rss.xml Newsweaver conor@corkchamber.ie (Cork Chamber of Commerce) support@newsweaver.ie (Newsweaver) 60 true Confidence https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1fg1ftzaek8?lang=en&rss=true 82% of respondents expressed confidence in the Irish economy at the close of Q3 2026. Of the 18% who cited a lack of confidence in the Irish economy, energy prices, geopolitical concerns and rising business costs were the top concerns. 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 IST 4ead3ad4cb784c158c691dd532eda4e6 ARTICLE_1_COLUMN-clone-32694128-20220414-090440 82% of respondents expressed confidence in the Irish economy at the close of Q3 2026. Of the 18% who cited a lack of confidence in the Irish economy, energy prices, geopolitical concerns and rising business costs were the top concerns. https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/7d/c7784eec9e545a0d6010e5.jpg Changes to employee numbers https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/ddpggeucyvj?lang=en&rss=true 52% predict an increase in employee numbers over the next 12 months, an increase on 42% in the last quarter. 27% increased their headcount in Q3. 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 IST fdd02294cb786c08dc7780b922e46c9c Two Column Articles - Hero Image 52% predict an increase in employee numbers over the next 12 months, an increase on 42% in the last quarter. 27% increased their headcount in Q3.  https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/fb/34b9c1920cd58b6016b20c.jpg Barriers to hiring https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1y0j0tcwoyj?lang=en&rss=true Of the 45% of respondents with vacancies advertised at present, 30% report difficulties with filling these roles, with specialist skills shortages emerging as the top barrier to filling vacancies, consistent with recent surveys. 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 IST e3c3c34819c94215b0256c293fb2f3b1 Two Column Articles - Hero Image Of the 45% of respondents with vacancies advertised at present, 30% report difficulties with filling these roles, with specialist skills shortages emerging as the top barrier to filling vacancies, consistent with recent surveys. https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/37/d6af87ff24c2f4485964a6.jpg OptionsCard Winner https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/y1z1xvxp3zb?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 Ann Rea, Dance Cork Firkin Crane. 17 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT 115dec0a6eb1b07da5c5f935e0671ce1 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 Ann Rea, Dance Cork Firkin Crane.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Survey Results https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1bglhtcnpsv?lang=en&rss=true [ https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/9j7kmglaqww/external?lang=en ] The Q3 2026 Economic Trends survey of Cork Chamber members gathered insights into their experiences of doing business across July, August and September 2026. Sponsored by PTSB, this edition of the Economic Trends survey also sought members’ views on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. “AI is already having a positive impact on Cork businesses, with many reporting enhanced growth and competitiveness and predicting further improvements as digitalisation continues. Cork businesses are clearly ambitious about the opportunities offered by AI, and this ambition must now be matched by government support and investment," Susie Horgan, Cork Chamber President. 09 Oct 2024 12:00:00 IST f30c9df80d9a32f114786d086e093bfe 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/9j7kmglaqww/external?lang=en" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/3a/82f8436779e3c47a67cee9.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="175" height="309" alt=""></a> </td> <td style="width: 52.3402%; padding: 10px; vertical-align: top;">       The Q3 2026 Economic Trends survey of Cork Chamber members gathered insights into their experiences of doing business across July, August and September 2026.   Sponsored by PTSB, this edition of the Economic Trends survey also sought members’ views on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace.    “AI is already having a positive impact on Cork businesses, with many reporting enhanced growth and competitiveness and predicting further improvements as digitalisation continues. Cork businesses are clearly ambitious about the opportunities offered by AI, and this ambition must now be matched by government support and investment," Susie Horgan, Cork Chamber President. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Browse Full Results Online https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1j8ny314jit?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 Q3 2026. 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 IST 24c67d665bee421bc3f37c332380c66f 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 Q3 2026.  https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/53/ea9e8e9c05d8407f823971.jpg Browse results here https://www.corkchamber.ie/quarterly-economic-trends/ Cork Projects https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/92gv4l1ukx/1kw1zos74bn?lang=en&rss=true 85% of businesses report that AI has impacted their business operations over the past 12 months. However, a lack of expertise, uncertainty about return on investment and data protection concerns emerged as the top barriers to further adoption. 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 IST 7d9084f9ebe50d564051d65731b2449f Feature Article Image Right <img src="https://corkchamberofcommerce.newsweaver.ie/v3files/shard1/8881/28/5e5a8777ba1fe0a1924d40.jpg" style="margin: 0px;" width="508" height="490" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="">   85% of businesses report that AI has impacted their business operations over the past 12 months. However, a lack of expertise, uncertainty about return on investment and data protection concerns emerged as the top barriers to further adoption. View more stats on AI in the workplace https://www.corkchamber.ie/quarterly-economic-trends/