The second economic trends survey of 2019 reports on member experiences during April, May and June. Q2 included a focus on Budget 2020 with survey responses on business priorities forming an intrinsic part in developing our Cork Chamber budgetary submission.
BUDGET 2020
With the Climate Action Plan 2019 just recently published, Government have made significant commitments to decreasing our collective national carbon footprint. Responding to the survey 12% chose ‘other’, indicating that a combination of measures is most appropriate.
We need the roadway to the new container port operational ASAP. We ship product to the US and China daily, we are experiencing a lot of problems as the current port (Tivoli) cannot cope with the volume of containers.
Deirdre Collins, Southern Fruit Enterprises
Focus on housing, greenways, increased cycle paths. I would love to see free public transport for all children. It would alleviate so much congestion.
Ruth Fuller, Fuller Marketing
TURNOVER AND NET PROFIT ESTIMATIONS
This compares very healthily to the Q1 results.
In Q2, 73% of businesses forecast an increase in turnover during the next 12 months, with 67% expecting net profits to increase during this same period.
Accelerated housing programme, infrastructure enhancement and Brexit affected business supports.
John Mullins, Amarenco Solar.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Q1 39% had indicated an increase in employee numbers, compared to the 50% reported for Q2.
58% of respondents have vacancies advertised with 43% indicating that the vacancy has remained unfilled for greater than 3 months. This is an increase on the 34% reporting hard to fill vacancies in the Q1 survey.
CONFIDENCE IN THE IRISH ECONOMY
TOP 3 THREATS TO BUSINESS GROWTH
