Housing Crisis Now a Major Business Hurdle, Say Irish Entrepreneurs
A new survey of Irish business owners has found that the nation’s housing shortage has shifted from being a social concern to a serious business challenge. According to the findings, 68% of respondents say that housing availability now influences where they choose to locate their offices.
The research comes from professional services group S&W, which today released the first Ireland edition of The BOSS (Business Owners Sentiment Survey) report.
The survey highlights significant generational divides among Irish entrepreneurs. Nearly 45% of business owners aged 25–44 believe the government is anti-business, compared with only 18% of their older counterparts. Meanwhile, 37% of those younger owners are already planning exit strategies—80% of whom intend to leave within the next three years.
Housing shortages are also having a direct impact on recruitment, with more than half of respondents saying the lack of affordable homes makes it difficult to attract skilled workers to relocate to Ireland. As a result, businesses are being forced to compete through higher compensation packages.
John O’Callaghan, Managing Partner of S&W in Ireland, said:
“For policymakers, the message is clear.
Targeted action—especially around housing, visa processing, and infrastructure—would strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness and help unlock the full potential of its entrepreneurial community.”
