Dublin Chamber will soon launch the results of its Q1 Business Outlook survey, thanks to our sponsors EY. Two hundred companies across the Dublin region participated in this survey, representing the diverse makeup of the Dublin Chamber network with firms across all sizes and sectors.

The first instalment of our 2025 survey series will outline leading priorities for Dublin businesses for the year ahead. Preliminary data reveals that companies are primarily concerned with cost control, domestic growth and workforce development for 2025.

Managing the cost of doing businesses emerged as the number one priority for three-in-five businesses (60%), indicating that rising costs, primarily rooted in labour and energy costs, are driving companies to focus on financial sustainability and efficiency in 2025. Notably, four-in-five businesses (79%) expect their operating costs to increase over the next three months, while just 4% expect them to decrease.

Dublin businesses are also prioritising domestic growth in 2025, with well over half (57%) focusing on increasing sales in Ireland for the year ahead. In 2024, growing the business domestically remained a leading challenge for one-in-five firms.

Attracting, retaining and upskilling talent also remains a leading priority for 56% of businesses this year. Dublin Chamber’s survey data dating back to 2021 shows that talent management has remained a consistent concern, showing that businesses are aware of skills gaps, the importance of employee retention and the need to continuous development in a competitive labour market. Currently, talent acquisition and retention remain a leading challenge for three-in-five businesses (61%).

Dublin Chamber’s Q1 Business Outlook report will be officially launched next month. A copy of the report will be sent to all members, and it will also be available on the Dublin Chamber website – so keep an eye out. We would like to thank all who participated, and we look forward to continued engagement in the survey series throughout the year.