Stronger exports help lift growth forecast

Ireland’s economy will grow slightly faster than previously thought this year thanks to stronger exports, keeping Dublin on track to meet deficit targets agreed under its EU/IMF bailout, a Reuters poll shows.

The poll forecast the economy expanded 0.5% in the second quarter on a quarterly basis, bouncing back from a 1.1% contraction in the first quarter although it remains fragile.

Economists forecast 0.7% growth for this year, matching the Government’s estimate and up from a projected 0.6% in a poll last month.