With 1 day before the 2026 Budget, 33% of adults in Ireland expect to be worse off financially (up 9% from last year).

 

 

16% of adults think they will be better off financially after the Budget announcement with Government Ministers are suggesting that adults in Ireland will be better off by a modest amount at around €10-€20 a week.

 

 

• ​ Of those expecting an increase in their finances, the average amount adults expect to be better off by is €603.40.

 

• Of those expecting a reduction in their finances, the average amount adults expect to be worse off by is €470.70.

 

 

 

• According to 1,000 respondents, improving the Health Sector is the top challenge that needs to be addressed in the upcoming Budget (81%).

 

• A recent nationwide survey by iReach Insights showed that Increased tax credits or reduced VAT levels is the second most important concern (61%) followed by improved access to Early age Childcare for families nationwide (35%).

 

• 37% of respondents think the housing crisis will get worse in the year ahead with potential Budget 2026 changes (up 5% from last year). Of these 15% feel it will get much worse.

 

• 50% think there will be no change in improvement (up 7%). However, 14% think the housing crisis will improve with the Budget 2025 changes. Of these 2% think it will improve a lot.

 

• 2 in 5 adults (40%) think the homelessness crisis will get worse in the year ahead with potential Budget 2025 changes. Of these 17% think it will get much worse.

 

• 47% think there will be no change in improvement (up 6%). However, 14% of adults think the homelessness crisis will improve in the year ahead. Of these 2% think it will improve a lot.

 

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

 

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 25^th of September to the 6^th of October and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.  1,000 adults took part in this part of the twice monthly iReach Consumer Omnibus Survey.

 

Questions asked of adults nationwide:

 

Q1. Do you expect to be better off financially with the expected Irish Government Budget announcement on the 7^th October?

Q2. You said you expect to be better off after the Budget announcement. How much better off do you expect to be financially over the next 12 months after the budget measures are implemented?

Q3. You said you expect to be worse off after the Budget announcement. How much worse off do you expect to be financially over the next 12 months after the budget measures are implemented?

Q4. Do you think the housing crisis will improve in the year ahead with potential Budget 2026 changes?

Q5. Do you think the homelessness crisis will improve in the year ahead with potential Budget 2026 changes?

Q6. From the list of challenges facing Irish citizens, which are the Top 3 that are most important for the Government to address in the upcoming Budget?

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne

T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com

The majority (79%) of adults in Ireland are likely to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election.

 

 

·       78% of adults feel the next President should have political experience.  

o   This is highest for Boomers with 82% feeling the next President should have political experience.

 

·       When asked what are the most important quality the next President should have;

o   28% of adults say it’s a connection with ordinary people

o   20% say it’s experience in politics

o   20% say it’s a defender or Irish culture and heritage

o   15% say it’s fresh outsider perspective

 

 

·       Highest at 28%, Gen Z adults think fresh outside perspective is the most important quality the next President should have.

 

 

·       Over half (55%) of adults feel connected to the Presidency with 14% of these feeling very connected.

 

·       More than 1 in 4 adults (28%) believe that younger voters will have a bigger influence in this election compared to the past ones.

 

o   45% of adults aged 25-34 believe that younger voters will have a bigger influence in this election.

 

·       30% of adults feel the Presidency should focus more on building unity at home in Ireland and 24% think they should focus more on representing Ireland abroad.

o   41% of Gen Z adults feel the Presidency should focus more on domestic unity.

 

 

 

 

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

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 17^th and 24^th of September and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

 

Questions asked of adults nationwide:

 

Q1. How likely are you to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election?

Q2. Which of these qualities do you think is most important in the next President of Ireland?

Q3. Do you feel connected to the Presidency, or does it feel distant from your everyday life?

Q4. Do you believe younger voters will have a bigger influence in this election compared to past ones?

Q5. Should the next President be someone with political experience, or from outside politics?

Q6. Do you think the Presidency should focus more on Ireland’s global image or domestic unity?

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364

 

More than 1 in 2 (54%) of adults feel that seeing children returning to school makes them glad they’re an adult.

 

 

·       74% of adults aged 18-24 agree that seeing children returning to school makes them glad they’re an adult with 51% of these strongly agreeing.

 

 

·       Over 1 in 3 adults (38%) think that the school years are the best years of your life with 15% of these strongly feeling this.

 

·       Nearly half (48%) of adults aged 18-24 wish they were back in school with 28% strongly agreeing.

 

 

·       46% of adults say what they miss most about school is spending so much time with friends. This is highest for adults aged 25-34 with 70% missing this most.

 

 

·       43% say it’s the lack of responsibility that they miss most about school and 37% say it’s they miss the feeling on the first day of Summer holidays.

 

 

·       32% of adults say they miss learning new things in school, 25% miss having their dinner made for them by their parent/ guardian every day, and 16% miss P.E.

 

 

·       45%of adults are glad they don’t have to worry about homework now that they’re not in school, 44% are glad they don’t have to stress about The Leaving Cert, and 44% are happy not to be studying things they have no intertest in.

 

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

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 28^th of August and 4^th of September and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

 

Questions asked of adults nationwide:

 

Q1. With children returning to school in the coming weeks, to what extent do you agree with the following statements?

Q2. Which of the following do you miss about school?

Q3. Which of the following are you glad you don’t have to worry about now that you’re not in school?

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364

 

 

Only 13% of adults in Ireland know that England is hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

 

 

·       Over 1 in 5 adults (23%) are likely to watch The Irish Team play their next match against Spain on the 31^st of August, with 11% of these very likely to watch it.

 

·       30% of adults aged over 55 say they will likely watch Ireland play their next match against Spain followed by adults aged 35-44 (28%), and adults aged 45-54 (28%).

 

 

·       29% of adults in Ireland will watch some of the Irish Women’s Team’s matches on TV or online over the course of the Finals with 7% of these planning to watch most of the matches.

 

·       32% of males will watch some of the Irish Women’s Teams matches over the course of the tournament with 11% of these saying they will watch most of the matches.

 

 

·       Over half (56%) of adults were aware that the Irish Women’s Rugby Team had qualified for this years World Cup. This number is highest for males with 60% aware compared to 52% of females.

 

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

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 7^th and 14^th of August and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364

 

62% of adults in Ireland think the excise of 50 cent per ml of e-liquid that was added in this years Budget will just drive a black market.

 

 

·       Over 1 in 3 adults (67%) support tax stamps to tackle the illicit trade of e-cigarettes with 37% of these strongly supporting a tax stamp.

 

·       Health groups say the Government must do more to protect young people from vaping, 56% of adults think the Government should restrict youth appealing flavours, colours, and packaging.

 

 

·       Over half (52%) of adults think the government should extend the minimum legal age to 21 for all nicotine products, 51% think they should strengthen age verification, and 47% think they should fast track the disposable vape ban.

 

·       In stores, 46% of adults feel there should be a tightening of retail access and 38% think shops should use price to deter experimentation.

 

 

·       Northern Ireland has brought its single use vape ban into force, 79% of adults think Irish measures are falling behind and cross border shipping will surge once the excise lands.

 

·       Convenience and newsagent groups think the excise and compliance rules invite smuggling and retailer admin costs, 57% of adults think the Government should offer free retailer compliance toolkits.

 

 

·       41% of adults think the Government should offer retailers subsidised age verification tech grants and 23% think they should offer community partnership grants.

 

·       68% of adults think non smokers are getting hooked on nicotine through vapes.

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

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 23^rd and 30^th of July and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

 

Questions asked of adults nationwide:

 

Q1. Budget 2025 adds an excise of 50c per ml of e liquid — will higher prices curb youth uptake or just drive a black market?

Q2. Do you support tax stamps to tackle illicit trade?

Q3. Survey data show significant e cig use among young adults — are non-smokers getting hooked on nicotine through vapes?

Q4. Health groups say Government must ‘do much more’ — what do you think they could do to help protect young people?

Q5. Northern Ireland brought its single use vape ban into force — do you think Irish measures are falling behind, and will cross border shopping surge once excise lands?

Q6. Convenience & newsagent groups say the excise and compliance rules invite smuggling and retailer admin costs — how could the Government support small retailers while protecting kids?

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364

 

2 in 3 adults (66%) think Gen Z are more self-care focused than older generations, especially when it comes to proactive wellbeing and mental health.

 

International Self-Care Day is observed annually on July 24th. It's a day dedicated to promoting the importance of self-care as a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual health. The day encourages individuals to prioritize activities that help them recharge, manage stress, and improve their overall quality of life. We asked adults in Ireland their thoughts on self-care.

 

 

·       Over 1 in 3 adults (35%) think the biggest barrier stopping them from prioritizing self-care is the lack of time and 23% think the biggest barrier is the cost or access to resources.

 

·       Over half (54%) of adults think employers can better support emotional wellbeing in the workplace by offering flexible working options. This is highest for Millennials with 67% thinking this would support emotional wellbeing.

 

 

·       57% of Gen Z think employers can better support wellbeing by encouraging mini-breaks and 32% think they should run self-care awareness initiatives.

 

 

·       36% of adults say they only take out time for their mental wellbeing a few times a year, 16% take out time a few times a month, and 16% take out time once a week.

 

 

·       41% of adults think self-care can be a personal empowerment tool and a commercial opportunity it just depends on the intent.

 

·       More than 1 in 2 (58%) adults think “digital detox” is becoming the new form of self-care and taking time offline improves their mood, focus, and sleep quality.

 

 

·       54% of respondents think that social media hinders self-care as it creates pressure to be seen doing it rather than truly benefiting from it and 41% think it can lead to toxic positivity or unrealistic self-care standards.

 

 

·       1 in 3 adults think that the wellness “hype” can make people feel they’re not doing self-care “right” unless it’s aesthetic or expensive.

 

 

·       39% of adults don’t think wellness apps long-term wellbeing as they rely too much on streaks or “perfect” use and 34% think they create pressure, guilt, or screen fatigue.

 

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

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 4^th and 13^th of July and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

 

Questions asked of adults nationwide:

 

Q1. How often do you take time out for your mental wellbeing?

Q2. What’s the biggest barrier stopping people from prioritising self-care?

Q3. How can employers better support emotional wellbeing in the workplace?

Q4. Do you think self-care has become commercialised or is it empowering?

Q5. Do you think Gen Z are more self-care focused than older generations?

Q6. Do you think “digital detox” is becoming the new form of self-care?

Q7. How do you think social media may encourage or hinder self-care?

Q8. How do you think wellness apps genuinely do/ don't improve long-term wellbeing?

Q9. Do you believe missing climate targets will have long-term economic consequences for Ireland?

Q10. How optimistic are you about Ireland’s ability to reach net-zero by 2050?

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364

 

 

46% of adults in Ireland think the response of the Irish government to the war in Palestine has been good with 10% of those thinking it’s been very good.

 

 

·       Over half (53%) of males in Ireland think the response of the Irish government to the war in Palestine has been good versus 40% of females in Ireland.

 

 

·       60% of respondents believe that Ireland should take a stronger public stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

 

·       This number is highest for adults aged 25-34 with 75% thinking that Ireland should take a stronger public stance.

 

·       In terms of providing humanitarian support, 75% of adults would like to see Ireland provide aid, 62% feel they should provide diplomacy, and 38% think they should provide refugee support.

 

 

·       83% of adults aged 18-24 think Ireland should provide aid and 57% think they should provide refugee support.

 

·       65% of adults feel impacted by the ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank with 25% of these feeling very impacted.

 

 

For more statistics you can visit us at our blog: https://ireachhq.com/blog

 

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 29^th of May and 5^th of June and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

 

Questions asked of adults nationwide:

 

Q1. To what extent do you feel emotionally impacted by the ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank?

Q2. How would you rate the response of the Irish government to the war in Palestine?

Q3. Do you believe Ireland should take a stronger public stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict?

Q4. What level of support should Ireland provide in humanitarian terms?

 

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

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364