A survey has shown that Irish consumers became more gloomy about the outlook for the Irish economy and their personal finances this month.
The consumer sentiment index, compiled by KBC Bank and the ESRI, fell to 53.3 from 55.8 in August. September's figure was the lowest since February.
The ESRI's David Duffy said the main reason for the fall in sentiment was a more negative perception by consumers of the outlook for the next 12 months.
The index of current economic conditions weakened only marginally to 72.3 in September from 72.6 in August. But the expectations index fell to 40.5 in September, from 44.5 in August.
"The majority of consumers expect that the household finances will deteriorate, unemployment will rise and economic situation will become worse over the next 12 months,” Mr Duffy said.
KBC economist Austin Hughes said the darker consumer mood was not surprising, in the light of a worsening economic outlook abroad and significant jobs fears at home sparked by some high-profile job losses. He said the fall was in line with similar surveys in other countries, as the world economic outlook becomes increasingly uncertain.
