City employees enjoy more hybrid working

Dublin workers are significantly more likely to work in a hybrid way compared to their counterparts in other parts of ireland, according to the latest Reflecting ireland research from Permanent TSb Half (50%) of adults working in Dublin currently work in a hybrid way. This compares to a third in Munster (33%) and Connacht and ulster (32%). in the rest of leinster, 38% of workers do so in a hybrid form. it also found that 52% of adults in Dublin used the car as their primary mode of transport versus 3 in 4 for the rest of ireland (75% in Munster, 76% in Connacht & ulster, 77% in rest of leinster).

The findings are part of Permanent TSb’s look at the changing lives of people in ireland since the pandemic. nationally, the research found there has been an increase in the number of people with a more positive view of the economy over recent months. The research was undertaken by Core Research in March 2023 amongst 1,000 adults.

it continues to show public concern about the economy but also finds an increase in the number of people who express optimism across several key areas.

Relevant findings include:

• There was a rise of 6% in the number of people who believe the economic situation will improve over the coming 12 months (17% in this report, up from 11% in november 2022). However, a greater number, 49% of respondents indicated that they felt the economic situation will deteriorate over that period (63% in november)

• There was a rise of 4% in the number of people who believe that they are better off now than 12 months ago (15% in this report, up from 11% in november 2022). in contrast the percentage of people who believe they are now worse off than 12 months ago fell to 56% (down from 63% last november).

• Looking ahead 22% of respondents said that they expect to be better off in 12 months’ time. That compares to 18% in the november survey. The percentage which believes they will be worse off over the coming 12 months declined to 38% from 47%.

When asked their views on whether or not the country was on the right track currently, 60% said we are “off-course” while 28% said we were “on-the-righttrack”.

This compares to 62% and 25% respectively in the november survey.

Speaking about the findings, leontia Fannin, Head of Corporate Affairs with Permanent TSb said: “there is a subtle but significant shift in opinion from november which suggests that more people think the worst of the Cost-of-living crisis is behind us.

“it will be interesting to see whether that more optimistic mood continues or is paused in the coming months.”

The survey also explored the significant impact of the Covid Pandemic on how people in ireland live their lives.