AmCham Survey Highlights Continued Investment Confidence Among US Multinationals

Confidence among US multinationals operating in Ireland remains strong, according to the latest AmCham FDI Insights Survey, with nine in ten companies planning to maintain or increase employment over the next 12 months. 

The survey found that almost half, or 48 percent of respondents are planning to expand their workforce in the next year, while 70 percent said their corporate headquarters already have plans to invest further in Ireland during the next five years.

The findings point to continued confidence in Ireland as a location for foreign direct investment while also highlighting the importance of addressing competitiveness challenges to support future growth.

Cost competitiveness emerged as the most significant challenge companies believe Ireland must address to support future investment and expansion, cited by one-third of respondents. This was followed by housing at 27 percent. Meanwhile, when looking at the greatest long-term risks to foreign direct investment over the next five years housing availability and public infrastructure constraints were both cited by 22 percent of respondents, ahead of trade tariffs at 16 percent. 54 percent of respondents also said Ireland's current energy infrastructure and security of supply represented a competitive disadvantage relative to other international investment locations.

Investment in innovation also remains a clear priority. Two-thirds of respondents said they intend to increase investment in A.I., automation and data analytics initiatives during the next 12 months, while half identified A.I and emerging technologies as the single greatest business opportunity over the next five years. At the same time, 52 percent said the availability of A.I. talent represents a barrier to expanding AI-related activity in Ireland.

Beyond A.I., companies also expect to continue investing across a broad range of strategic priorities. 51 percent plan to increase investment in employee upskilling and training, while 45 percent intend to expand research and development activity, 42 percent plan further digital transformation initiatives and 39 percent expect to increase investment in talent acquisition.

When asked what actions would have the greatest impact on future investment decisions, respondents highlighted strengthening Ireland's innovation ecosystem. Twenty-one percent said enhancing R&D incentives would be the single most impactful measure Government could take to encourage additional investment over the next five years, followed by improving the availability of skilled talent at 18 percent. Half of respondents also said enhanced tax incentives would increase their R&D activity in Ireland, while 19 percent identified improved infrastructure as the most effective support.

The survey also highlighted the changing skills profile required to support Ireland's next phase of economic growth. More than half of respondents identified A.I. and machine learning expertise as the specialist talent most critical to future growth, followed by research and development at 15 percent and life sciences at 9 percent.

Respondents also pointed to regulatory simplification as an important priority for enhancing competitiveness. Thirty percent said planning regulation should be the highest priority for simplification to support investment in both Ireland and Europe, followed by energy regulation at 24 percent and data and A.I. regulation at 15 percent.

Looking ahead to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, respondents identified greater European competitiveness and productivity as the outcome that would deliver the greatest benefit for their organisations, selected by 36 percent of companies. Reduced regulatory burden, progress on A.I. and digital policy and a stronger Single Market were also identified as key priorities.

You can view the full results of the AmCham 2026 July FDI Insights Survey here