Rising costs and infrastructure gaps stall investment across the Greater Dublin Region, chambers warn

Businesses across the Greater Dublin Region are united on what is holding them back: the cost of doing business, recruitment pressures and infrastructure that isn't keeping pace, according to the Business Environment & Economic Outlook Survey 2026, published jointly today by Fingal, South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and County Kildare Chambers.

The survey drew 245 responses across the region, from sole traders to employers of more than 100 staff. Some 56% describe current trading conditions as challenging or very challenging, against 30% reporting positive conditions.

Costs dominate the pressure list

Labour and statutory employment costs are the pressure most widely felt, cited by 47.7% of respondents, ahead of energy and utilities (39.8%) and reduced or uncertain customer demand (32.4%). Sensitivity to local charges is acute: one in three businesses say an increase in commercial rates or local authority charges would cause significant operational strain or could force downsizing or relocation.

Staffing pressures bite

Three quarters of employers find it at least moderately difficult to recruit and retain staff. Wage expectations exceeding budgets (43%), a shortage of suitably skilled candidates (42%) and housing affordability for employees (34%) are the most common workforce issues. Over the past year, 40% of businesses increased wages or benefits in response, while 29% have had roles unfilled for extended periods.

Investment decisions are being deferred

Four in ten businesses say conditions caused them to delay, cancel or reconsider investment in the past year. One in eight of those affected said they considered taking that investment outside the region - or outside Ireland altogether. Traffic congestion (25%), housing availability for employees (20%) and a lack of suitable premises (20%) are the issues most limiting growth in businesses' current locations. Just over one in five businesses say their location has become less attractive as a place to invest or expand compared with a year ago.

A single ask of Government

Asked what would most improve the business environment, lowering the cost of doing business came first by a wide margin, selected by 52% of respondents - followed by improved roads and transport infrastructure (33%), investment in housing supply (25%) and faster planning decisions (22%).

Speaking on behalf of the four chambers, Anthony Cooney, Chief Executive of Fingal Chamber, said: "Four chambers ran this survey together and the answers came back almost identical, whether the business is in Swords, Tallaght, Dún Laoghaire or Naas. Businesses want to grow - four in ten plan to hire and invest - but the cost base keeps climbing and the basics aren't keeping pace. When a firm tells us it considered investing outside Ireland, that's a decision that can still be reversed. These findings will go directly into our engagement with Government."

Despite the pressures, ambition remains. Thirty-seven per cent of businesses expect to increase staff numbers over the next twelve months, and 39% plan to expand investment - a reminder that the conditions exist for growth, if the barriers are addressed.