Rural Ireland Thinks poll: Immigration is not a deciding issue for rural voters

Tents belonging to asylum seekers set up along the banks of the Grand Canal last month. On immigration, two-thirds of people in rural Ireland feel the Government is not doing a good job handling the number of asylum seekers entering the country. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Fewer than half of rural voters see immigration as a deciding factor in the way they will vote in the next general election, with health, housing, and the cost of living all considered more important.

An Irish Examiner/Ipsos poll of people living in rural Ireland found that the cost of living is the most important issue for voters, with 68% saying it will be "very influential" on their next vote, and 22% describing it as "somewhat influential".