A survey which measures how consumers feel about the economy showed little change in May compared with April.
The consumer sentiment index, compiled by KBC Bank and the ESRI, fell slightly to 65.3 from 65.6 in April. The index had risen to its strongest level in two years in March.
The ESRI's David Duffy said the index which measures how people view current conditions fell slightly, while the index measuring consumer expectations in the coming months was unchanged.
He said that while there was some improvement in consumers' perception of the outlook for the economy and the labour market, consumers were still concerned about the outlook for their own finances over the next 12 months.
KBC Bank economist Austin Hughes said it was 'slightly surprising' that the index did not fall further, due to turmoil on global markets and continuing concerns about Ireland's public finances. He said consumers remained cautious, but the underlying trend suggested that consumers were seeing signs that the economy was stabilising.
