Voting intentions in Ireland - 84% of all adults in Ireland plan to vote in the next Irish General Election, with lowest plans to vote amongst 18 to 34 year old's with only 65% planning to vote compared to 93% of 55+ voters.

With recent UK Elections in the News and plans for an Irish Election in the coming weeks, iReach ran a survey of adults in Ireland last December on their intentions to participate in upcoming Irish elections as well as their intent to vote if an election were to happen now in Ireland. We also asked adults in Ireland on their expectations for the UK General Election and the impact on Ireland.

Voting intentions in Ireland

84% of all adults in Ireland plan to vote in the next Irish General Election, with lowest plans for voting amongst 18 to 34 year old's with only 65% planning to vote compared to 93% of 55+ voters.

Of those not planning to vote, 30% are not registered and 25% stating they know nothing about politics in Ireland.

This is highest at 37% of 18 to 34 year old's. 35% of all Non-voters state they feel that they are wasting their time, highest amongst older demographic of 55 year old's and older, reaching 65%.

Irish General Election 
If there was a simple vote tomorrow, we asked which party would get their single vote, the main parties dominate;

Fine Gael 21%
Fianna Fail 15%
Sinn Fein 13%
Green Party 11%
Labour Party 6%

If people had a single vote for a party leader, the would vote for:

28% selected Leo Varadkar,
15% Michael Martin
14% for Mary Lou McDonald.

 UK General Election 
Looking to the UK we asked Irish adults which party they expected to win the majority of seats with 50% expecting there to be a Hung Parliament and 23% expecting the Conservatives to win and only 13% expecting Labour to win.

However when asked which main party winning the UK General Election would be best for Ireland, 24% voted for the Labour Party, 19% for the Liberal Democrats and only 10% for the Conservatives. 36% of adults in Ireland believe a Hung Parliament would be best for Ireland.


About iReach Insights iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus delivering 1,000 responses from adults 18+, and run between the 21st – 28th November.

These findings have a 2.5% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level. Questions asked of participants:

Q1. Did you vote in the last General Election? 

Q2. Do you plan to vote in the next General Election?

 Q2a. What would stop you voting? 

Q3. If there was an election tomorrow and you had one vote, which party would you vote for? 

Q4. If you had one vote to select the leader of a single Political Party to become Taoiseach, who would you vote for from the list below?

Q5. Ignoring smaller or regional parties in the UK (SNP, DUP, Plaid Cynru etc.) which large party do you expect to win a majority of seats at the General Election in the UK on 12th of December?

Q6. Thinking about the impact of the UK General Election on Ireland, and assuming they win a majority, which main party winning the UK General Election would be best for Ireland?

Almost 6 in 10 people (58%) save money by having a Smart Home

iReach Insights Press Release

    SIGN UP, TAKE PART in our surveys for free and GET REWARDED! http://www.ireachconversations.com 

19^th November 2019

Almost 6 in 10 people (58%) save money by having a Smart Home

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·        15% of people in Ireland have installed Smart Home technology, however 31% would like to implement Smart Home technology in the future.

·        84% agree that a Smart Home makes life much easier and 74% would recommend it to others. 68% of users feel more relaxed since they can control their home from wherever and also generate savings.

·        The main concerns about having a Smart Home are: someone can steal personal data concerning lifestyles and habits (47%) and someone can spy on them (39%).

·        23% use “Intelligent Voice Assistant” services like Alexa / Siri / Google Assistant and 71% of those think such voice services are useful.

iReach Insights conducted a nationally representative survey and 1,000 adults were asked about their opinion about smart technology in general and smart homes, meaning a home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by a smartphone or computer.

Only (15%) of adults in Ireland own a smart home. The majority of them (84%) think that a smart home makes their life much easier. Furthermore, (68%) say they are more relaxed since they can control their home from wherever they are and (55%) feel safer at home because of it.

In terms of the financial reward, (58%) of people in Ireland who own a smart home state that implementing smart technology has saved them money.

Although new technology has many benefits, people who have smart homes still have concerns about their smart homes. (47%) fear that people could steal personal data concerning their daily life habits and (39%) are concerned that someone could spy on them because they have a smart home.

Overall, (74%) would recommend a smart home to anyone who is thinking about getting one and (42%) can’t imagine living without it anymore. Looking to the future and of those who don’t live in a smart home already, 31% are likely to implement smart home technology in the future.

(23%) of people use “Intelligent Voice Assistant” services like Alexa / Siri / Google Assistant. (71%) of those think this service is useful.

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 24th-31th October and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Do you have a smart home (a home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by a smartphone or computer)?

How likely are you to implement smart technology in your home in the future?

Do you use any “Intelligent Voice Assistant” services like Alexa / Siri / Google Assistant?

Do you find this service useful?

Please state how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com

The total spend in Ireland on Smart Apps hits €59 million this year

iReach Insights Press Release

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11th November 2019

The total spend in Ireland on Smart Apps hits  

€59 million this year

· 6 in 10 adults (59%) think the progress in Smart App technology offers more advantages than disadvantages.

· Favourite free non-games apps for 2019 are WhatsApp (26%), YouTube/Facebook (13%) and Google maps (12%).

·   74% think that children should learn in school how to properly choose and use apps.

·    34% of adults in Ireland use health/fitness applications and 70% of users agree that these applications are an aid to improve their health and eating behaviour.

A nationally representative survey of 1,000 people carried out by iReach has found that 96% of smartphone/tablet users in Ireland use apps.  22% pay for Apps and Downloads with an average monthly spend of €6.45.

The total spend by all adults in Ireland on Apps will hit €59 million this year. The top favourite free non-games apps selected by survey participants for 2019 are WhatsApp (26%), YouTube/Facebook (13%) and Google maps (12%).

6 in 10 adults (59%) think the progress in app technology offers more advantages than disadvantages.

34% of adults in Ireland use health/fitness applications, with step counter / fitness tracking the most frequently used application by 81%, followed by diet / calorie counter (28%) and heart rate monitor (18%). 70% of users agree that these applications are an aid to improve their health and eating behaviour.

The major concerns cited by respondents all relate to issues of security and privacy, with access to personal data (89%), hackers (62%), tracking (61%) and privacy breaches (61%). As consequence 74% of adults agree children should learn in school how to properly choose and use apps.

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 24th-31th October and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Do you have a smartphone and or tablet?

Do you use Apps that concern your health / body / fitness / diet?

What kind of fitness / health Apps do you use?

Do you think that any of these Apps help you to improve your health / fitness / eating behaviour etc.?

How much money do you spend on Apps every month?

In general, do you have any concerns about Apps?

What concern(s) do you have?

What were your favourite free (Non-Games) Smart Device Apps for 2019?

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com

7 in 10 adults recognise today's Climate Crisis as an emergency

iReach Insights Press Release

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01^th November 2019

7 in 10 adults recognise today’s Climate Crisis as an emergency

8 in 10 adults (80%) are concerned about Climate Change. 

86% believe Business/Industry and 80% believe the Irish Government are not doing enough against Climate Change.

6 in 10 adults (60%) think that time is running out to save the planet.

8 in 10 adults agree that there should be more investment to create jobs in clean industries

The Irish government has become increasingly focused on exploring energy alternatives, in order to supply the country with safe, sustainable, and renewable energy. With this in mind, iReach Insights conducted a nationally representative survey of over 1,000 Irish adults on their opinions to Climate Change.

8 in 10 adults (80%) are concerned about the impacts of Climate Change. The majority of adults stated that they believe Business/Industry (86%), society (79%) and the Irish Government (80%) are not doing enough against Climate Change.

In the opinion of adults in Ireland, there should be tougher measures to cut emissions (73%) and the Government should be tougher on big polluters and force them to pay for the environmental damage they cause (84%). Furthermore 8 in 10 adults agree that there should be more investment to create jobs in clean industries (84%) and more charging points for electric cars should be built (83%).

6 in 10 adults (60%) think that time is running out to save the planet. 71% think Global Warming will soon become extremely dangerous without a big cut in emissions, and 77% believe all of us must be prepared to make some sacrifices to lifestyles in order to stop Global Warming.

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 19th-26th September and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Are you concerned about the Climate Change?

Do you recognise the Climate Crisis as an emergency?

Do you think that the society is doing enough against the Climate Change?

Do you think that business or industry is doing enough against the Climate Change?

Do you think that the Irish government is doing enough against the Climate Change?

Please state how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com

Adults in Ireland will spend €49 million on Halloween this year down from €65 million in 2017

iReach Insights Press Release

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24th October 2019

Adults in Ireland will spend €49 million on Halloween this year down from €65 million in 2017

•         Less people celebrating Halloween in 2019 at 38%, down from 50% in 2017 with having a party still the most popular event. Only 24% of those living in Munster plan to celebrate Halloween this year.
•      More adults are going to a Pub this year at 14% up from 11% in 2017 and highest amongst Males at 21% up from 16% in 2017.
•     The total spend by all adults in Ireland on Halloween this year will be €49 million Euro down from €65 million in 2017.

 Halloween is almost upon us again, and with the Bank Holiday Monday, and midterm break next week iReach Insights investigated how Halloween is celebrated in Ireland. In our recent survey, iReach Insights asked 1,000 adults about their plans for this Halloween and how much they think they will spend this year.

Less people are celebrating this year at 38% down from 50% in 2017, with having a party still most popular form of event;  highest amongst 18-32-year olds at 43%, and amongst those living in Dublin at 40%. Only 24% of those living in Munster plan to celebrate Halloween this year.

More adults are planning to go a Pub this year to celebrate Halloween, up to 14% from 11% in 2017 and highest amongst Males at 21% up from 16% in 2017.

This year 32% of adults will be dressing up for Halloween, which shows a decrease compared to 2017 at 41%. Interestingly 21% of people make their own costumes, 17% buy them at a discount store and 16% in supermarkets, 13% use old ones, and 11% buy them online.

The total spend by all adults in Ireland on Halloween this year will be €49 million (approx.) down from €65 million in 2017.

60% of people decided not to carve a pumpkin for this Halloween, 24% will and 16% are not sure yet.

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 10th-17th October and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Will you celebrate Halloween this year?

How will you celebrate Halloween this year?

If dressing up, what will you be dressing up as for Halloween?

Where do you buy your Halloween costume?

How much do you plan to spend overall (on sweets, costumes, decorations, drinks, etc.) this Halloween?

Will you carve a pumpkin this Halloween?

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com

77% adults think Ireland should invest in growing medical marijuana, and half (52%) think recreational marijuana should be legalised.

iReach Insights Press Release

SIGN UP, TAKE PART in our surveys for free and GET REWARDED! iReach Conversations 

16th October 2019

77% adults think Ireland should invest in growing medical marijuana, and half (52%) think recreational marijuana should be legalised.

3 in 4 believe growing medical marijuana in Ireland will give patients who use it cheaper and easier access 

Top reasons supporting recreational marijuana legalisation were: 1. Regulation for consumer safety (68%), 2. Decreased crime rates (46%), and 3. Economic boost (45%)

Top reasons against recreational marijuana legalisation were that marijuana is a gateway drug (68%) and addiction (60%)

Those aged 18-34 are twice as likely (59%) as those 55+ (29%) to support expunging criminal records if marijuana were legalised

Recent discussions concerning cannabis use causing health problems and discussions of legalisation of marijuana (medicinal and recreational) in Ireland have overtaken news outlets, with many speculations surrounding how current government will deal with legislation on this issue. With this in mind, iReach Insights conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,001 adults in Ireland on opinions on the legalisation of cannabis.

3 in 4 adults (77%) believe Ireland should grow marijuana for medicinal purposes. The majority of respondents (64%) believe individuals use marijuana for medicinal purposes, with other primary reasons being relaxation (59%) and social-smoking (57%). Of those who believed medical marijuana should be grown in Ireland, 3 in 4 believed it should be grown locally to give patients who use it cheaper access (75%) and easier access (75%). Of those who thought medical marijuana shouldn’t be grown, people believed it would make Ireland a hotspot for crime (51%) and would give Ireland a bad reputation (42%).

52% of adults think Ireland should legalise recreational marijuana, with men (57%) being 10% more likely than females (47%) to want recreational marijuana legalised. Of those aged over 55, only 32% think marijuana should be legalised for recreational purposes.

The top three reasons in support of legalising recreational marijuana were: 1. Regulation for consumer safety (68%), 2. Decreased crime rates (46%), and 3. Economic boost (45%). The primary reasons against recreational legalisation were: 1. Marijuana is a gateway drug (68%), 2. Addiction (60%), and 3. Brain damage from marijuana use (56%).

47% believe that those currently in prison for cannabis-related crimes should have their records expunged post-legalisation, with those aged 18-34 being twice as likely (59%) to support this decriminalisation as those 55 and above (29%). The main argument for expunging is that if it becomes legal, people in prison for it are no longer criminals (69%). The main argument for maintaining criminal records post-legalisation is that, even if it were to be made legal later, when they were arrested it was still illegal (69%). 

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 20th-27th of June and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Do you think marijuana should be legalised for recreational purposes?

Why do you think it should/shouldn’t be legalised for recreational purposes?

Why do you think people use marijuana?

If marijuana were legalised for recreational purposes, should those in prison for marijuana usage offenses in the past be released/cleared of charges?

Why do you think this?

Do you think Ireland should grow medical marijuana?

Why do you think Ireland should/shouldn’t grow medical marijuana?

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com

50% of adults in Ireland are worried about Brexit with expected Price Increases

iReach Insights Press Release

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26th September 2019

50% of adults in Ireland are worried about Brexit with expected Price Increases

62% believe that there will be an increase in the price of food and  drink in ROI

57% think that there will be a decline in the economy in Northern Ireland following Brexit.

47% are in favour of a united Ireland

The Economic and Social Research Institute has said the Government should consider a supplementary Budget in the New Year to respond to Brexit. With this in mind, iReach Insights conducted a survey of over 1,000 Irish adults on Brexit and attitudes towards Brexit as the deadline approaches.

50% of people in Ireland are worried about the Brexit process and the outcome of it and 40% state that Brexit is getting on their nerves.

People in Ireland think that Brexit will have the following consequences for the Republic of Ireland; Increase in the price of food and drink (62%), Economic Decline (44%), More foreign companies setting up in ROI (30%), English companies returning to the UK (26%) and Higher rent prices (24%).

People in Ireland think that Brexit will have the following consequences for Northern Ireland; Economic Decline (57%), Increase in the price of food and drink (49%),  Increased violence/ crime (45%), Companies leaving Northern Ireland (44%) and citizens moving to the Republic of Ireland (30%).

Almost half (47%) of those interviewed would be in favour of a united Ireland. 69% believe that it would create tension between the North and the South and 64% believe it would bring new ‘troubles’ to Northern Ireland.

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 19th - 26th September and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

What do you feel about Brexit?

What do you think would be the consequences of Brexit for the Republic of Ireland (RoI)?

What do you think would be the consequences of Brexit for Northern Ireland?

Would you be in favour of a united Ireland?

What do you think would be the consequences?

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com

1 in 10 homes in Ireland are using solar energy

iReach Insights Press Release

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23th September 2019

1 in 10 homes in Ireland are using solar energy

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        Only 1 in 10 adults (10%) have solar energy installed in their home, providing 33% of their energy needs.

        The main reasons for installing Solar Panels is reducing energy costs (50%) and helping the environment (50%).

        The barriers to installing Solar Panels are cost related, with 40% saying it’s too expensive (40%) and the lack of reward to justify the expenses (26%).

The Irish government has become increasingly focused on exploring energy alternatives, in order to supply the country with safe, sustainable, and renewable energy for cheap. With this in mind, iReach Insights conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,001 Irish adults on opinions on solar energy being used in Ireland.

1 in 10 adults (10%) have solar energy installed in their home. A third (33%) of total energy use is provided by solar energy in these homes. Of those who have installed solar energy at home, the top reasons for deciding to get solar energy were: 1. To reduce energy costs (50%) and 2. It’s better for the environment (50%).

Of those who haven’t installed solar energy at home the top reasons to choose to get solar energy were: 1. It will save me money on my electricity bill (78%), 2. It’s better for the environment (69%) and 3. I want to be sustainable. The top reasons not to get solar energy were: 1. It’s to expensive (40%), 2. There isn’t enough of a reward to justify the expense (26%) and 3. I don’t believe I would benefit from it (18%). 

The most adults are familiar with Solar (91%) and Wind (84%) as renewable energy.

Overall, 8 in 10 adults (80%) see Solar power as an efficient and practical form of renewable energy. For the half of adults (54%) Solar power is the best form of renewable energy and 6 in 10 of adults designate Solar power as the future of renewable energy.

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 8th-15th August and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Do you have solar energy installed in your home?

What percentage of your total energy use is provided by solar energy alone?

Why did you decide to get solar energy?

Would you consider getting solar energy?

Why would you choose to get solar energy?

Why would you choose not to get solar energy?

Which forms of renewable energy are you familiar with?

Which forms of renewable energy would you be interested in?

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com