Most Irish optimistic and content despite the downturn

AN OVERWHELMING majority of people feel Ireland needs to start believing in itself again, according to an Irish Times /Behaviour…

AN OVERWHELMING majority of people feel Ireland needs to start believing in itself again, according to an Irish Times/Behaviour & Attitudes poll on Ireland today.

The findings indicate that despite the worst economic downturn in a generation, most people are content and optimistic.

The vast majority (69 per cent) say they have not had their pay cut or working hours (76 per cent) reduced in the past year.

Only a small proportion feel the recession is putting their relationships under strain, while negative equity is not a concern for the majority.

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Despite the optimism, significant numbers say they are finding it difficult to cope. Almost half say their main concern is “getting from one day to the next” and are unable to save. One in five say they became quite depressed over the past year due to pressures of the economic downturn and 5 per cent say they have fallen behind with their mortgage repayments.

About a quarter of people say they or someone in their household has lost their job. This equates to about 800,000 people who have been directly affected by job losses over the past year or so.

In addition, more than a fifth of all Irish adults say the number of hours they work has been cut by more than 40 per cent on average.

On cutting public spending, there is support for public sector wage cuts, but widespread opposition to new taxes.

Most agree that reductions in public sector wages are necessary (52 per cent), while 31 per cent are opposed.

Support for some form of property tax is much lower (33 per cent), as is the reintroduction of third-level fees (29 per cent). A carbon tax is the only measure which gathers significant support (44 per cent). It is more popular with younger people and those on higher incomes.

There is little support for a reduction in welfare payments (25 per cent) with most opposed (64 per cent).

The downturn is also leading to major changes in behaviour. Over the past year most people say they are paying more attention to the news and business issues and place more emphasis on spending time with family and friends.

Most are putting off big purchases. About a third of people say they have put plans for buying a new car or taking an expensive holiday on hold.

They are more likely to be buying more own-brand groceries, spreading shopping over a greater number of outlets and doing more DIY (all 50 per cent-plus).

Other cost-saving habits people have adopted include servicing their own cars (24 per cent), growing fruit and vegetables (23 per cent) and mending clothes (20 per cent).

Despite fears over the impact of the recession on young people, those aged between 18 and 25 are mostly upbeat. Almost two-thirds feel their greatest achievements are ahead of them, while three-quarters are content with their lives. Just under half are considering going back to college to retrain or improve job prospects.

Older people aged 65-plus are the most likely to be content with their lives (94 per cent). Those aged 45 to 54 are the most likely to feel gloomy about the economy and to worry about making ends meet.