Stock image: GettyMost people think prices of goods and services will continue to rise over the next five years. A third of respondents believe their household finances will get worse. Mr Hughes said the responses suggested current problems, such as cost-of-living pressures, were not going away. Mr Hughes said official figures showed inflation had eased marginally in January, but this was largely due to lower energy costs. “In addition, many employees saw their January pay packets shrink, reflecting the start of pension auto-enrolment,” Mr Hughes said.

Source: Irish Independent February 25, 2026 20:31 UTC