Nearly one in four can't afford a holiday this year, survey finds
Those most likely to say they cannot afford a holiday included women, those aged 45 to 54, and those struggling to make ends meet.
This is despite the fact that the cost of travelling abroad is lower than last year.
However, domestic restaurant and hotel prices are higher.
The survey, carried out in partnership with Core Research, indicates that the vast majority of consumers do not intend to spend more on their holidays this year.
One in four plan to spend more on their holiday than they did a year ago
Economist Austin Hughes, who oversees the compiling of the consumer sentiment index, said this suggests discretionary spending power remains limited for most Irish households.
The survey showed roughly one in four consumers plan to spend more on their holiday than they did a year ago.
Broadly similar numbers plan to spend the same amount.
But 22pc said they are unable to afford to go on holidays this year.
'So, these results are consistent with a range of other responses to special questions in previous sentiment surveys in that they highlight wide variations in financial circumstances that might be summarised as suggesting a three-tier breakdown in the financial health of Irish households that ranges from fit to feeble,' Mr Hughes said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He added that the results are marginally more positive than a year ago, as the share of consumers spending the same or more is fractionally up. The share of those unable to afford a holiday is marginally down.
However, there is also a small increase in the share of consumers who say they will spend less on holiday this year, Mr Hughes said.
The demographic breakdown suggests consumers in Dublin, those on higher incomes and those aged 25 to 34, are more likely to plan to spend more on holidays this year than others.
Men are more also likely to plan to spend more than women.
Overall, consumer sentiment improved marginally in June. This was due to tariff threats easing slightly, oil prices and interest rates falling, and the economy continuing to post strong growth in activity and employment.
The survey for June has an index reading of 62.5, up slightly on the 60.8 figure for May.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Rose of Tralee co-host Dáithí Ó Sé: 'I can't wait. It's going to be something special'
It was full steam ahead for this year's Rose of Tralee contestants on Tuesday as the festival kicked off in style aboard the former tender ship the MV Cill Airne. The vessel, which is now a floating restaurant located on North Wall Quay in Dublin, played host to participants as well as the show's presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas. Now in its 65th year, the Rose of Tralee International Festival has become a staple cultural event celebrating Irish identity and ambition. 2010 Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu, a clinical psychologist, has joined the panel of judges for this year's contest. She recently got engaged to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan The five-day festival will culminate in the selection of the 2025 International Rose of Tralee. It will be televised on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19 from 8pm on RTÉ — with a break for the news and resuming at 9.35pm. Some 32 women from all over the world gathered in the capital as anticipation grows ahead of the big event. Dáithí Ó Sé shared his excitement about this year's festivities. 'Every year, the Rose of Tralee brings something new — new faces, new stories, and a renewed sense of pride in the achievements of Irish women across the globe,' he said. 'I've been part of the festival for 15 years now, and I still get that buzz when the dome lights up and the Roses take to the stage. Co-presenter Kathryn Thomas with some of the contestants at the launch of the 2025 Rose of Tralee International Festival on board the MV Cill Airne, North Wall, Dublin. Picture: Andres Poveda "I can't wait to do it all over again this year It's going to be something special.' Co-presenter Kathryn Thomas added: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be returning to Tralee for this year's festival. Over the past two years I've found it incredibly energising to be surrounded by accomplished, inspiring women who are all part of the same tribe. 'What I love most is that it's not all about gowns or glitter, it's about grit, grace, and the powerful stories behind each Rose. I can't wait to meet this year's group and be part of the magic all over again.' Queensland Rose Siobhán Edwards, South Australia Rose Beth Mooney, and Tyrone Rose Cloideach Donaghy at the 2025 Rose of Tralee launch. Picture: Andres Poveda The Rose of Tralee is expected to be watched online by audiences over the world. Influencer James Patrice is also set to return with some behind-the-scenes antics. New Zealand Rose Keely O'Grady was crowned the 2024 International Rose of Tralee at last year's festival. She was the third Rose from New Zealand to win the title in the competition's 65-year history. She is now preparing to hand over her crown. Former Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu has been announced as one of the judges for this year's competition. It follows her recent engagement to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy. She will be joined on the panel by RTÉ's Nuala Carey, fashion designer Don O'Neill, and Aisling Murphy of sponsor Murphy's New Homes. Fans of the show can follow all of this year's action across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. The official hashtag is #roseoftralee.
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Fine Gael councillor didn't declare 50% stake in firm accused of charging nurses unlawful fees
FINE GAEL COUNCILLOR and former South Dublin Mayor Baby Pereppadan did not declare his 50% shareholding in a recruitment agency that has been accused of charging migrant nurses unlawful fees. In 2022, 2023, and 2024 Pereppadan failed to disclose his interest in Angel Care Consultancy Limited. The councillor has denied knowledge of nurses being charged additional fees and said that he was not involved in the daily operations of the company. For a period of time in 2022-2023 he was also a director, which he has also not declared. Councillor Pereppadan was appointed director in November 2022 and resigned in May of the following year. Pereppadan told The Journal earlier this month that he had been offered 'a 50% shareholding' in the company as a gesture of goodwill after assisting in some of the early administration aspects of the company in 2021. He has not responded to questions on why he did not declare his directorship and a 50% shareholding in the company. The Journal Investigates last week reported on the councillor's interest in the company and that he is a former director of the recruitment agency. The company has been accused of charging three migrant nurses thousands of euros in agency fees on top of their standard costs, as part of their recruitment to work in an Irish nursing home. One of these nurses claims she was directed to pay the equivalent of €3,000 directly into the bank account of Britto Pereppadan, Baby's son, who is also a Fine Gael councillor in Tallaght, and a hospital doctor. Britto Pereppadan does not have any shares in Angel Care and he is not formally associated with the company. Advertisement He has said that the payment of €3,000 was made to him for a personal debt by another co-founder of the company, businessman Babu Valooran Kochuvarkey. These kinds of agency fees are not allowed under Irish employment law, under rules that are designed to stop people from profiting directly from those seeking work. Fine Gael reserving judgement Since the article was published on Friday, People Before Profit and Sinn Féin TDs have called on Fine Gael to launch an investigation into the councillors, and a complaint has been made to the South Dublin County Council Ethics Registrar. The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) clearly sets out in its code of conduct for councillors that they must furnish the Ethics Registrar of their council with an annual declaration of their interests, including financial, property, and business interests. Records show that Baby Pereppadan reported no company directorships or shareholdings in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Baby Pereppadan was a director in Angel Care from 22 November 2022 until 19 May 2023. When he resigned his daughter, a 22-year-old dentistry student, was appointed as director. Baby Pereppadan has said that his daughter's involvement was 'nominal' and 'administrative' and that she has not had any involvement in running the company. In response to a series of questions, Baby Pereppadan said that he did not know anything about agency fees being charged to the three nurses. 'I have no knowledge of the allegations regarding agency fees being charged to nurses, and I am shocked to learn of these claims, should they be true. I have had no involvement in the day-to-day activities of the company, nor was I made aware of any extra fees being levied,' Baby Pereppadan said in an initial response to The Journal Investigates . Related Reads Two FG councillors have 'questions to answer' over migrant nurse agency fees, say opposition TDs Fine Gael councillor co-owns company accused of charging migrant nurses unlawful 'agency fees' He also said that he was given a 50% ownership stake in the company as a gesture of goodwill from Valooran, the other co-founder. Fine Gael response Baby Pereppadan's business partner businessman Babu Valooran Kochuvarkey has claimed that nurses had full knowledge of the fees that they paid, and that the two sums of just over €3,000 and one sum of €3,600 that were charged to the three nurses were expenses related. Mr Valooran said that he would further engage with one nurse who had requested a refund of additional fees. The three nurses have told The Journal that these were lump sum agency fees that they were asked to pay at the outset of their recruitment, and that they themselves paid for expenses including accommodation in Dublin during their examination period and transport in cash; they have also provided documentation which appears to support their claims. Britto Pereppadan has claimed that his father's business partner, Babu Valooran Kochuvarkey, had owed him a sum of money, which he paid to him, and that he didn't know how it was obtained. Asked for a response to the revelations in the article last Friday, a spokesperson for Fine Gael said that Councillor Baby Pereppadan had himself made the party aware of the piece. Yesterday at a press conference Tánaiste and party leader Simon Harris said that he is going to 'reserve judgement' on the matters covered in the article until he is provided with clarifications by the Pereppadans. Asked if he planned to take action on any of the revelations Harris said: 'I understand that the councillors are disputing some of that and are currently seeking legal advice, and my party headquarters has sought more information from them in relation to that and I await the outcome of that.' When pressed on whether Fine Gael would investigate further the Tánaiste said that the two councillors 'will provide my party headquarters with more information and I will wait until I have all the facts'. 'Once I have all the facts, I will make a judgement then,' Harris added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Former farm leaders oppose Mercosur deal at Tullamore Show
Former leaders of two of the country's leading farm organisations joined forces at the 2025 Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show to opposed the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. Former Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president John Dillon and former Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) president Pat O'Rourke – now a political and agriculture adviser to MEP Ciaran Mullooly - made a joint effort at the event on Sunday (August 10) to warn about the deal. The two men said that said the Mercosur deal will have a "devastating impact" on Irish beef farmers. If ratified by EU member states, the deal would grant significantly increased access for South American beef into the European market. Speaking at the show, the two former farm leaders highlighted what they called a "massive price gap" between Brazilian and Irish beef, which they said was driven by a differences in production standards. Dillon claimed: "The farmgate price for beef in Brazil is just €3.20/kg. In Ireland, it's €9.50/kg. That difference is explained by the lower animal welfare standards, use of growth hormones, and weaker environmental protections in Mercosur countries. "The structural disadvantages for Irish farmers are equally stark. While farms in Mercosur countries can be as large as 15,000ha, the average Irish family farm is just 34ha. 'Irish farmers cannot and will not be able to compete on price with beef produced under vastly different rules and on an industrial scale. If the government is serious about backing Irish farmers, there's only one option – say no to Mercosur," O'Rourke said. The two men jointly called on the government to take a firm stand against the deal in upcoming EU negotiations, warning that its ratification would undermine the Irish beef sector, threaten rural livelihoods, and reward production systems that fail to meet the high standards demanded of EU farmers. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, recently said he had discussed international trade developments, including the Mercosur agreement, with his counterparts from France and Germany, among others. He said: "The government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. "We have always been clear, that such agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers' livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries." "Our position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which states that the government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal," the Tánaiste said.
