Firms confident of growth on strong start to the year

Irish business has made a strong start to 2013 and although there has been little increase in hiring, companies are confident of achieving growth.

The KBC Bank Ireland and Chartered Accountants Ireland spring 2013 survey shows that business activity grew in the first three months of the year and that twice as many companies reported growth than decline.

However, KBC economist Austin Hughes said there had been no significant upswing in the economy, but the fact that confidence remains is positive.