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2019 One In Three Plan More Saving For 2020 One In Four Plan Christmas

11th, Shopping Outside Of State

December

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EXAMINER

IRISH more money in 2020.
More than a third of Irish people are planning to save

The latest Bank of Ireland Savings and Investment Index
shows a fifth intend to spend less money.
Meanwhile, consumers’ confidence in their ability to save
has fallen to its lowest level since August 2017.
The index slid slightly from 94 to 93 in Quarter 4 of this
year.
Bank of Ireland Investment Markets spokesperson, Tom
McCabe, said seasonal factors may have caused a drop in
people’s outlook to saving.
“We saw 46% of people regularly saving in the fourth
quarter. That was around the lowest in two years,” said Mr
McCabe. ver a quarter of increase in traffic in border would be buying clothes,
“But I do think there are some seasonal issues at play Irish consumers counties particularly during while 34.97% intend on buy-
there. Ointend on doing at weekends. ing perfume or make-up,
“Obviously, Christmas season is here with us, so spending least some of their “If you are likely to be with electrical goods
is probably more in the front seat and maybe saving’s in the Christmas shopping out- driving in the border area in (18.57%) and consumer elec-
back seat in the short term.” side of the state this year, the coming weeks, you may tronics (14.56%) also appear-
Mr McCabe also said that Brexit is playing a role in invest- according to a recent sur- notice an increase in ing on most lists. Outside of
ment sentiment. vey. motorists who are less famil- gift shopping, 33.54% of
“Investment sentiment, all through this year for Irish peo- In response to a recent AA iar with the area so it’s those shopping outside of the
ple, has really been framed by Brexit,” he added. Rescue survey of over 6,000 important to allow some state intend on picking up
“We have seen sentiment has been really under pressure of its insurance customers extra space between yourself alcohol, while 33.20% will be
for most of the year. and members, almost 1 in 10 and other road users, particu- buying food and groceries.
“If you are planning a trip
larly in spells of poor weath-
Irish respondents (9.17%)
“We saw a little bit of a rebound this quarter so we saw stated that they intend on er. to Northern Ireland or even
the investment index rise from 88 to 91.”" C
making a trip to Northern “Secondly, it’s important the UK by car it’s important
Live Register Figures Down By Ireland for the purpose of to remember that break- that you prepare your car
properly and load any items
downs can still happen and
Christmas shopping in the
1.2% In November coming weeks. This figure it’s important to consider you’re bringing home into
The number of people entering employment in 2018 represents a minor drop on who you can call for assis- the boot correctly and safely
increased by 63,000, bringing the total employed in Ireland 2018, where 10.81% of those tance if your car lets you to avoid any accidents being
up to 2.26m. surveyed by the AA were down while up north as your caused by uneven weight dis-
That’s according to SOLAS, the state’s Further Education planning a cross-border shop- local go-to option may no tribution. Depending on the
and Training Authority, which published the 2019 National ping trip. longer be a position to help. weight of what you may be
Skills Bulletin. Meanwhile, the survey While AA Members are auto- buying, you may need to
The increase in employment in 2018 is spread across also found that some Irish matically covered for a break- adjust your tyre pressure
many sectors, particularly for administrative support, educa- people are planning on going down in Northern Ireland or ahead of the journey, but it’s
tion and construction. In terms of occupations, growth in further afield in the hopes of the UK not all providers offer also important to be security-
employment has been particularly focused on professional making savings on their the same benefit.” conscious if leaving your car
occupations and those in skilled trades such as construction Christmas essentials. 4.30% In total, the survey found unattended while the boot is
trades and chefs. of those surveyed stated that that just under 26.68% of full of presents,” Faughnan
Speaking on the publication of the report SOLAS CEO, they will make a trip to Great people will leave the state in added.
Andrew Brownlee said: “The National Skills Bulletin pro- Britain, broadly similar to the the coming weeks ahead of “Whether you’re shopping
vides an essential source of information on the labor market level seen in 2018, with Christmas, with the vast in the state or driving across
in Ireland and the skills needs of the economy. With the like- 3.80% planning a trip to con- majority of these doing so in the border, it’s important to
ly impact of Brexit yet to be fully understood, the National tinental Europe – up from order to carry out Christmas be mindful about leaving
Skills Bulletin provides an excellent insight into the current 3.12% in 2018. shopping. your car unattended during
standing of the workforce which will assist with any educa- Conor Faughnan, AA For those planning on shopping trips in the weeks
tion and training interventions that may be required into the Director of Consumer Affairs doing some Christmas shop- ahead. Opportunistic thieves
future. said: “While the percentage ping outside the state, are likely to be checking car
“By providing 300,000 further education and training of those planning a cross-bor- clothes, alcohol, food and parks over the coming weeks
places each year SOLAS is striving to meet the needs of der shopping trip this electrical good are among the for unlocked vehicles so
learners, employers and communities. SOLAS and the Christmas season has items most likely to be on always double-check that you
Education and Training Boards have recently adopted a dropped slightly, we can still their shopping lists. have locked your car before
more strategic, multi-annual approach to planning and fund- expect to see a large number Of those who stated they you leave it and that any pres-
ing which will further enable the sector to respond to these of people travelling north in will be shopping abroad, ents you’ve bought aren’t eas-
findings.” C the weeks ahead and an 56.39% stated that they ily visible to passers-by.” C