Employment is the number one issue for supporters of all parties, writes STEPHEN COLLINS
BY FAR the most important issue facing the new government after the election is jobs, according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll.
The poll shows that voters regard the public finances as the second most important issue, while subjects such as political reform and political accountability are far behind in terms of public priority.
Not surprisingly, the young are most concerned about the jobs issue. While 51 per cent of the electorate as a whole say the top priority should be jobs, that figure rises to 65 per cent among the 18 to 24 year olds.
All social categories rate the issue as the top one, although there is least emphasis on it among the best-off and most concern among the poorest social categories. It is easily the top issue for supporters of all the parties, with Sinn Féin voters most concerned about jobs and Green Party voters least concerned.
The public finances come in second at 23 per cent. Among the best-off AB voters, the emphasis on this issue is highest at 31 per cent and it comes a close second to jobs in this social category.
In party terms, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil voters are most concerned with the issue, Labour voters are a little less concerned and Sinn Féin voters considerably less so.
Health comes in third as an issue with 10 per cent identifying it as a priority. Concern at this issue is highest among the poorest DE voters.
The issues of political reform and political accountability are of much less concern than jobs and the public finances.
The better-off AB voters are much more inclined to give these issues priority than poorer voters.
In party terms, Fianna Fáil voters are much less interested in the topics than Fine Gael and Labour supporters.
A majority of voters do not believe that the election of a new government will improve the economic situation. Some 48 per cent think it will have no impact and 4 per cent believe it will make things worse, while 40 per cent say it will improve things.
Fine Gael voters are significantly more hopeful than average, with 54 per cent saying things will improve with a new government.
Expectations are highest among the best-off AB voters and lowest in the C2 and DE social categories.
There is an expectation among a majority of voters that a new government will be able to renegotiate the EU-IMF bailout. Some 49 per cent thought it would be possible to renegotiate the deal, while 39 per cent thought not.
Expectations are highest among the best-off and least among the poorest and farmers.
Fine Gael supporters are much more inclined to believe that the bailout can be renegotiated, with 61 per cent saying it can, while among Fianna Fáil voters only 36 per cent have that opinion.