By Business & Finance Recent independent research conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of the Institute of Directors in Ireland (IoD) among its members, has found that the majority (95%) of directors surveyed believe that international confidence in Ireland as a place to do business has improved either marginally or significantly within the past year.
Of significant interest on the jobs front is the percentage of organisations planning to create employment, with over two-thirds (68%) of directors claiming that their organisation intends to hire new employees in the next 12 months.
The research carried out with directors across a range of organisations throughout Ireland also assessed levels of business activity and satisfaction with Government. There are positive indicators in terms of business activity, with 64% of directors claiming there has been an increase in business activity in their organisation in the past year, while 28% say that activity remains steady, with no change in the last year.
The Government’s target to reduce unemployment to below 10% by 2016 is achievable according to almost 7 in 10 (68%) directors surveyed; however close to 1 in 3 (31%) do not agree that the Government will reach this target.
Having been in office for a little over three years, the Government is perceived to have performed adequately or well according to 69% of directors surveyed, though a quarter (26%) of respondents are of the view that the Government needs to improve its performance.
Commenting, Maura Quinn, chief executive of the IoD, said: “These results represent a snapshot of sentiment among those operating at the highest level of business in Ireland and on the whole, the results are positive. Directors are firmly of the view that international confidence in Ireland as a location to do business has improved over the past 12 months and the indications for the year ahead are good, with a positive outlook among directors, particularly in terms of employment.
“While the business community can play its part in continuing to rebuild confidence, Government must also put in place the right conditions to enable businesses to grow, to create employment and to invest in Ireland’s future.”
