Cash flow issues, rising debts and the impact of Covid-19 on their "bottom line" are the main concerns of business leaders in advance findings of a new survey by the Institute of Directors in Ireland.
The IoD survey found that 38% of business leaders are predicting cash flow issues for the rest of 2020.
36% of bosses said their business had already experienced cash flow issues in the second quarter of this year.
26% of business leaders also said their company's debt has increased as a result of Covid-19.
When asked how this debt situation would most likely be for the rest of 2020, 32% said their organisations' debt level will increase as a result of Covid-19 with just 3% of business leaders saying their debt levels would reduce.
The survey also reveals that 61% of business leaders are also expecting Covid-19 to hit their organisations' bottom line this year.
The IoD research was conducted for its latest quarterly Director Sentiment Monitor survey between July 1 and July 7 amongst its 3,000 members, which comprises chief executives and company directors.
It covered the three months from April to June, the period when Covid-19 and the Government's lockdown measures took full effect.
The IoD's Director Sentiment Monitor tracks business sentiment on a quarterly basis and these latest findings are released in advance of the publication of the full survey at the end of July.
Maura Quinn, chief executive of the Institute of Directors in Ireland, said the impact of Covid-19 on Irish business and society has been sudden, significant and, indeed, transformative in many ways.
"Many business leaders are battling to 'keep the show on the road' and are experiencing cash flow issues and taking on more debt. The new Government's imminent stimulus package must encompass further measures to help businesses survive in the short term and recover as best they can," Ms Quinn added.
