A new business sentiment survey shows that almost three quarters (74%) of respondents rate the overall business environment as 'poor' or 'very poor'.
According to the Small Firms' Association's summer business sentiment survey, 68% of firms surveyed expect it to remain 'poor' or 'very poor' in the next three months.
The survey reveals that distribution companies showed the highest negative rating at 86%, followed by services by 78% and manufacturing at 72%.
However, today's survey shows that one in ten respondents were more confident about their own business in Ireland compared with three months ago.
Half of the companies surveyed said that they plan to restructure, decrease in size of close down altogether during the next three months. Just 47% plan on keeping their current employee numbers.
'The overall survey results show that whilst small businesses remain under serious pressure, the pace of deterioration seems to be slowing,' commented SFA Director Patricia Callan.
