Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 61.1 in September 2026 from 63.2 in August, marking its lowest level since May. The decline was marginal but reversed the previous month’s increase, leaving the index well below its long-term survey average of 83.0 and 10-year average of 76.1. The survey attributed the nervous mood to a combination of economic uncertainty and financial pressure, with consumers remaining consistently negative about the outlook for the Irish economy. The largest monthly decline was in the outlook for jobs, as cooling employment growth and further layoffs by technology companies weighed on confidence. Renewed concerns over sharply higher energy and motor-fuel prices, along with the threat of further inflation, also pressured sentiment, while repeated warnings over the sustainability of government spending added to economic concerns. Consumer confidence also weakened across the euro area in September after four months of recovery.