Four out of every ten businesses here are not enthusiastic about the potential of the upcoming Budget to deliver a recovery for business, a new survey has found.
The research by the Institute of Directors revealed that two thirds of firms are either unsure or not optimistic that the forthcoming National Economic Plan will provide a roadmap for economic recovery.
The poll of 3,000 IoD members did find, however, that 63% of business leaders feel either significantly or marginally that the Government's recently announced living with Covid plan provides a roadmap for moving from a short-term to medium-term management of the pandemic.
"This pandemic rollercoaster is presenting innumerable challenges now and will do so into the near future," said Maura Quinn, CEO of the IoD.
"Business leaders are understandably cautious about the way ahead, with many facing the biggest challenges of their professional lives."
"Their businesses and workforces are coping with measures designed to lower the public health risks, but which are unavoidably also impacting society and wider economic activity."
Ms Quinn added that the Government will need to ensure clear and concise guidance and direction in the National Economic Plan, complemented by easy-to-access business support measures, to ensure businesses in Ireland will be able survive.
