Attracting/Retaining/Upskilling Staff number one business priority for third consecutive year – Dublin Chamber survey

More than four in five businesses name housing as Dublin’s greatest challenge

Monday, 18th December 2023: Dublin Chamber's most recent business outlook survey underscores a continued trend in the Dublin business community: acute skills and labour shortages. For the third year in a row, over three in five businesses have identified 'Attracting, Retaining, and Upskilling Staff' as their top priority as they head into the new year.

Aebhric McGibney, Director of Public and International Affairs, commented, “Despite some of the notable work achieved by Government over the past year, such as the reductions we’ve seen in childcare costs, the narrative hasn’t changed and the challenges remain consistent. We’re continuing to hear from Dublin firms that several factors, particularly childcare expenses and the lack of affordable housing, are driving current labour shortages. There's a clear need for strategies to enhance labour force participation, especially among women, by eliminating the barriers to workforce re-entry such as the punitive rate of marginal income tax for second earners and the continued reduction of childcare expenses.”

In correlation to this, over four in five Dublin businesses noted housing as the biggest challenge facing Dublin. Poor infrastructure and skills and labour shortages follow in second and third place as the highest priorities for businesses. Almost three in five businesses reported that these combined issues significantly impact their ability to retain and attract staff, underscoring the mutually reinforcing nature of these challenges and the need for urgent and effective solutions to maintain Dublin's competitive edge.

“The fact that housing has become so prevalent as a critical business issue, alongside more traditional business challenges, underscores the current situation's complexity. The interconnection of housing, infrastructure, and labour challenges points to a more comprehensive approach needed in policymaking. As representatives and advocates of the Dublin business community, we're committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to continue addressing these issues head-on” McGibney added.

-ENDS-

Notes for Editors:

The Q4 2023 Business Outlook Report can be viewed here.

For further information please contact:

Órla Mannion | Public Affairs Manager | Dublin Chamber | orla@dublinchamber.ie

About Dublin Chamber:

Dublin Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in Ireland with over 1,300 member companies. It is the most representative and broadly-based business group in the Greater Dublin Area, providing representation and networking services. Its policy work focuses on developing the Dublin region’s infrastructure & transport, promoting competitiveness, and improving local governance. Dublin Chamber is also one of the oldest chambers of commerce in the world, tracing its origins back to 1782.