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DUBLIN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Irish consumer sentiment dropped
in October to its lowest level in five months, amid growing
concern about the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on household
finances and jobs, a survey found on Friday.
The KBC Bank consumer sentiment index tumbled to 52.6 in
October from 60.7 in September. That compares with a pandemic
low of 42.6 in April during a complete lockdown of the economy
and a 2020 high of 85.5 in January before the first case.
Respondents were surveyed either side of the Oct. 13 budget,
which delivered Ireland's largest-ever stimulus package and
before the government followed a series of increasing COVID-19
restrictions with a stay-home order this week.
"The current level of the sentiment survey points to a very
nervous Irish consumer," KBC Ireland chief economist Austin
Hughes said, noting that apart from the slump in April and May,
it was the lowest reading since late 2012 when Ireland was in an
EU/IMF bailout programme.
"The largest weakening was seen in consumers' expectations
for their financial circumstances over the next 12 months and
likely reflects increased nervousness about the lasting impact
of the coronavirus and related restrictions."
Hughes said those surveyed after the budget were less
negative and that a relatively limited downgrade of household
current finances and spending plans was "one small positive."
Irish households have saved at a record rate since the start
of the pandemic, partly for precautionary reasons but also
because of the mandated closure or limited operations of many
retail outlets, such as pubs and restaurants.
All non-essential retail will remain shut until Dec. 1 under
Ireland's highest level of COVID-19 restrictions, with pubs and
restaurants only allowed to provide take-away service. Bars that
only serve drinks have not been allowed open in Dublin since
March.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; editing by Larry King)