1.What are the primary cost pressures impacting your business's viability or growth?

Energy & utility costs

Rising wage & Auto Enrollment contributions

Regulatory, compliance & administrative burdens

Commercial rent and rates

Supply chain & raw materials

2.Has the cost of doing business impacted your strategic decisions over the last 12 months?

No major impact/business as usual

We have paused planned recruitment/reduced headcount

We have delayed capital investment or expansion plans

We have had to pass cost on to consumers

3.The high marginal rate of personal tax is often cited as a barrier to attracting and retaining talent. What personal tax reforms in Budget 2027 would most benefit you?

Introducing a third teer of income tax at 30%

Reducing the Universal Social Charge (USC)

Increasing the standard rate if income tax cut-off point (keeping pace with inflation)

4.For business owners and entrepreneurs, Ireland's Capital Gains Tax rate is 33% is among the highest in Europe. What capital tax reform is most critical for your business planning?

A reduction in the headline standard CGT rate

Increasing the lifetime limit for Revised Entrepreneur Relief (currently €1.5 million)

Targeted tax reliefs to support business succession and family transition

5.Are you aware that Dundalk has been added to the Living City Initiative and that you can claim tax relief for investing in vacant and derelict properties.

Yes

No

6.To what extent does housing supply directly impact your ability to recruit, retain and relocate staff?

Critical impact (we have lost candidates or staff due to housing supply)

Moderate impact, (it is a frequent talking point, but hasn't caused vacancies yet)

No noticeable impact on our business

7.What local or regional infrastructure deficits are currently acting as the biggest bottleneck to your business's growth?

Transport networks (roads, public transport, connectivity)

Grid capacity, electricity connection delays, or water infrastructure

High speed broadband and digital infrastructure

Commercial property/industrial unit availability

8.How can the Government best support your business in adopting digital technologies, AI, or innovative processes in this budget

Introduce a simplified R&D tax credit or innovation voucher system for SMEs

Direct grant funding for digitisation and process transformation

Unlock the National Training Fund to subsidise advanced digital and tech training

9.What is the single biggest barrier preventing your business from investing more heavily in sustainability and decarbonisation?

High upfront capital costs for retrofitting and installing renewable energy

Lack of internal expertise

Complex, slow or restrictive grant application process

10.If you could direct the Government to focus on one critical policy issue in Budget 2027, what would it be?

Infrastructure (Electrical, Water, Renewable and Road upgrades)

Housing (Increasing supply, removing barriers to building)

Fiscal Policy (Controlling Government spending, reducing public debt, boosting infrastructure spending)

Public Services (Schools, hospitals, community care)