A new survey by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) has found that US companies remain confident about Ireland as a business destination, with the vast majority planning to maintain or expand their workforce and investment over the coming years despite concerns over housing, energy infrastructure and rising costs.
According to the survey, 90% of member companies expect to either increase or maintain employment levels in Ireland over the next 12 months. Nearly half of respondents said they intend to recruit more staff during that period, while 70% reported that their global headquarters plan to make additional investments in Ireland within the next five years.
AmCham Ireland Chief Executive Paul Sweetman described the findings as a positive signal for the country’s investment outlook.
“This really is a positive story,” Sweetman said, noting that companies continue to view Ireland as an attractive location for business expansion, recruitment and long-term investment.
Despite the optimistic outlook, businesses identified several challenges that could affect Ireland’s competitiveness. Cost competitiveness emerged as the leading concern, with one-third of respondents describing it as the biggest obstacle to future investment and expansion. Housing ranked second, cited by 27% of companies as a key issue.
Energy infrastructure also remains a major concern. More than half of respondents said Ireland’s current energy network and security of supply place the country at a competitive disadvantage compared with other international investment destinations.
Sweetman said housing, energy infrastructure and overall cost competitiveness remain the most pressing short-term challenges. Looking further ahead, he pointed to housing shortages and broader public infrastructure constraints as the biggest risks to sustaining Ireland’s economic growth.
He acknowledged that steps are being taken to address these issues through initiatives such as the Accelerating Infrastructure Task Force and increased government investment in infrastructure projects. While these measures have improved business sentiment, he said additional progress is needed.
The survey also highlighted growing corporate interest in emerging technologies. Two-thirds of respondents said they plan to increase spending on artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics over the next year. More than half indicated they will also invest in employee training and upskilling to prepare their workforce for changing business needs.
Companies also expressed interest in broader European economic reforms. More than one-third of respondents said improved European Union competitiveness and productivity would represent the most beneficial outcome of Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency for their businesses.
The survey found that confidence in Ireland remains exceptionally high overall. An overwhelming 95% of companies said they would choose Ireland again if making their original investment decision today, while seven in ten already have plans for additional investment over the next five years.
The findings were released as the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of US Independence with an event in Dublin attended by Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. According to AmCham, more than 1,000 US-owned companies operate in Ireland, employing approximately 245,000 people across the country.
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