WEALTH September 26, 2025 0 Comments

Why Irish Business Titans Are Betting Big on Budget 2026 Infrastructure: The Surprising Move That Could Change Everything

Isn’t it fascinating how nearly seven out of ten Irish directors and senior execs have put infrastructure spending at the very top of their Budget 2026 wish list? Turns out, the backbone of Ireland’s competitiveness—from housing and energy to water, transport, and broadband—isn’t just a buzzword but a pressing priority that can’t be ignored any longer. With a hefty 69% rallying behind this cause, it begs the question: can Ireland truly thrive without fixing the nuts and bolts that hold its economy together? This urgent call comes straight from 385 sharp business leaders surveyed by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland, revealing not only their wish for robust infrastructure but also their grappling with rising business costs, stifling regulations, and the wild cards of global trade tensions. Yet amidst these challenges, their confidence in growth remains surprisingly sturdy—proof that with the right investments and reforms, Irish enterprise may just punch well above its weight. Ready to dive deeper into what’s driving these insights—and what it means for the future of business in Ireland? LEARN MORE

Nearly seven in ten Irish directors and senior executives believe infrastructure spending should be the top priority in Budget 2026, according to a new survey from the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland.

The poll of 385 business leaders found that 69% identified infrastructure investment – spanning housing, energy, water, transport and broadband – as the most critical measure to enhance Ireland’s competitiveness.

This was followed by calls for reduced energy costs (22%), simplified regulation (13%), and attention to global competitiveness and tariffs (12%).

The survey was carried out in September following the Government’s publication of its new Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, which pledges to address concerns around over-regulation.

A strong majority of respondents (67%) said regulation is stifling growth and competitiveness, while 90% reported that the cost of doing business has risen since Budget 2025.

When asked to name the biggest obstacles to growth, 21% cited economic and fiscal pressures, 18% pointed to talent acquisition and retention, 17% to international trade tensions and tariffs, 13% to business costs, and 9% to regulatory complexity.

Despite these headwinds, business confidence remains resilient. Seventy per cent of leaders surveyed said they expect their organisations to grow by the end of the year.

On hiring, 58% intend to maintain current staff numbers, 33% plan to increase headcount, and 10% anticipate reductions.

Commenting on the findings, Caroline Spillane, CDir, CEO of IoD Ireland, said: “The cost of doing business in Ireland continues to rise sharply, putting real pressure on firms of all sizes.

“While business leaders strongly support significant investment in infrastructure (such as housing, energy, water, transport and broadband) as a foundation for long-term competitiveness, they also need immediate relief from escalating costs and regulatory burdens.

“Encouragingly, many remain confident about growth prospects this year, reflecting the resilience of Irish enterprise.”

She added: “We welcome the commitments set out in the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, particularly on regulatory reform, but it is essential these translate quickly into tangible progress.

“At the same time, businesses are signalling a shift towards future-focused drivers of growth such as innovation, digital transformation, and customer engagement.”

infrastructure spending — Caroline Spillane, CEO, Institute of Directors © Patrick Bolger

Looking ahead, 21% of directors identified digital transformation and innovation as the most important driver of competitiveness, followed by enhancement of products or services (19%), customer engagement (17%) and generative AI (12%).

The IoD Ireland Snap Poll 2025 ran from 3–22 September and included responses from members across multinationals, SMEs, semi-state organisations, not-for-profits, and plc companies.