US Companies Operating in Ireland Continue to Hold a Positive View of Ireland

US companies operating in Ireland continue to hold a positive view of Ireland as a location for investment and growth, according to the latest AmCham FDI Insights survey. 

According to the survey of AmCham members, 9 in 10 respondents said that their corporate headquarters have a positive view of Ireland as an investment location. A further 80 percent of respondents also said they would continue to have a positive view of Ireland as an investment location if tariffs were imposed by the US on the EU. 

Some 63 percent of members surveyed said a skilled and highly educated talent pool is Ireland’s main competitive advantage which has led their company to invest and expand here. However, 64 percent said they are currently experiencing a skills gap in Ireland. Of those, 23 percent said they are experiencing a skills gap in digital and data, 21 percent in engineering and 19 percent in machine learning and A.I..  

Meanwhile, 94 percent of respondents said Ireland’s position as a regulatory hub within the EU is important to Ireland becoming a leader in digital and A.I. with 60 percent of those saying this is extremely or very important to their company. Similarly, 96 percent of respondents said EU investment in A.I. is important to ensuring Ireland remains a destination of choice for investment. 

When looking at the key challenges that could impact future investment and expansion in Ireland, 34 percent said housing was the number one challenge, with 28 percent identifying cost competitiveness and 13 percent noting a shortage of skills as the key challenge. 

100 percent of AmCham members responding to the latest survey deemed security of Ireland’s energy grid as an important factor to maintaining US investment in Ireland. 

You can view the full results of AmCham’s latest FDI Insights survey here.