More than half of businesses surveyed by Dublin Chamber believe safety in the city centre has worsened over the past year.
Safety concerns are influencing whether employees are willing to travel into Dublin city centre, with businesses reporting effects on working hours, client events and decisions about where to base their operations.
Dublin Chamber’s Q3 2026 Business Outlook Survey found that around one in three respondents said concerns about safety were affecting employees’ willingness to work in or travel to the city centre.
Just over half, 51%, believed city centre safety had deteriorated compared with 12 months earlier. A further 37% felt it was broadly unchanged, while 11% reported an improvement.
The findings reflect the experiences and perceptions of the businesses surveyed, rather than a measure of recorded crime.
Concerns over early and late working hours
For some employers, the issue is affecting when staff feel comfortable working. Some 26% of respondents said safety concerns or anti-social behaviour were influencing employees’ willingness to work early mornings or evenings.
Stephen Browne, Dublin Chamber’s Head of Public Affairs, said feeling safe was essential for people travelling to work, meeting clients and spending time in the city.
“When safety concerns influence whether staff are willing to come into the city or work particular hours, there are direct consequences for businesses and the wider city economy,” he said.
Browne called for a consistent, visible Garda presence, particularly in locations and at times when people feel most vulnerable. He said businesses needed a sustained response to anti-social behaviour and improvements that staff and customers could see in their daily lives.
Impact on meetings, locations and costs
The survey also suggests that safety concerns extend beyond the daily commute.
Almost a quarter of respondents, 24%, said concerns had affected their hosting of clients, meetings or events in the city centre. Meanwhile, 21% reported an impact on decisions about office or business location, and 18% said security or operating costs had been affected.
Dublin Chamber is calling for policing to be supported by improvements to the city’s streets and public spaces, including better lighting, regular maintenance and action on vacancy and dereliction.
“A thriving city centre depends on people choosing to spend time there,” Browne said.
He urged the Government, Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána to coordinate their efforts to make Dublin a welcoming place to work, visit and do business.
The Q3 2026 Business Outlook Survey gathered responses from more than 200 companies across the Dublin region between 25 August and 18 September.
Read more: Is Dublin safe? | Dublin business calls for heightened Garda presence for a safe festive season
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