Enterprise Barometer 2024

Domestic business crucial for economic and social success

Entrepreneurship underpins the Irish economy and capturing the objectives, concerns and aspirations of entrepreneurs plays a vital part in informing the policy choices we have when it comes to promoting entrepreneurship. 

For the second year, we asked the leaders of almost 200 leading indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in Ireland to share their perspectives on business prospects, the business environment and the issues they believe will shape their futures. 

The good news is that most respondents are generally optimistic about the future. They see opportunities for growth and are committed to expansion. However, they remain concerned about ever-present cost pressures, and most would like to see further improvements to the tax system. 

Business inhibitors

This theme of relentless upward costs is a cause for concern. It hampers competitiveness and can act as a barrier to employment. Overall, it can impact on growth prospects and ultimately act as an inhibitor to a business realising its full potential.

We know that these concerns are widely held by Enterprise Ireland and a range of other stakeholders and we will continue to promote suggestions and solutions to help address these issues. 

AI & sustainability

Meanwhile, and perhaps as an indicator of such day-to-day priorities, our respondents acknowledge the role and potential of technology, yet remain somewhat circumspect about the immediate impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

Moreover, whilst sustainability remains an important consideration, there are signs of some levelling off in the concerns some businesses had about its impact.  

Perception of entrepreneurship

For the first time, we asked respondents about societal attitudes to entrepreneurship in Ireland. We think it is useful to develop a greater understanding of how starting and running a business is perceived. We hope that it will help further stimulate the worthwhile debate about the policy measures required to promote entrepreneurship in Ireland. 

Finally, we thank all our respondents for taking the time to share their insights with us. Their perspectives are invaluable in helping shape the debate and ensuring that every entrepreneur in Ireland has the best possible chance of succeeding.