New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the holders of Special Savings Investment Accounts intend to spend just under a third of their matured fund on consumer items.
These include home improvements, foreign holidays, cars and other purchases.
The figures are based on a special SSIA module included in the Quarterly National Household Survey, covering the fourth quarter of 2005.
The figures also show that just under half of the money will be spent on savings, pensions and investments, with just 10% going on debt repayment.
During the period in question, two thirds of account holders were making the maximum contribution possible of €254 a month.
Over two fifths of the population aged 21 or older in the Dublin and southeast regions have an SSIA, with just over 70% of these contributing the maximum.
The average contribution to SSIAs in the fourth quarter of 2005 was €217.04.
The figures also show that just 16% of unemployed people have an SSIA, compared to 23% of the not economically active and 47% of those in employment.
