Last month’s budget has boosted the Government’s popularity, a poll for the Sunday Times has found. 

Budget 2023 saw Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath announce a range of one off measures to combat the soaring cost of living, energy and housing. 

Voters have responded positively to the package and while a majority (51%) of Irish people remain unsatisfied with the Government’s performance, that is a 6% drop in the space of a month. 

Despite this, Sinn Féin retains a commanding lead in voting intentions; 34% would give the party their first preference vote if an election were held tomorrow - 1% less than in the previous poll.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald with party colleagues on Grand Canal Dock. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

By contrast, Fianna Fáil is the choice of 22% of people - down 2% since September. While Fine Gael are the preferred option of 21% of voters - up 1%. Meanwhile, the Greens are polling at 4%. 

The Labour party has climbed 2% to reach 6% support, while the Social Democrats have slumped to 2% - the same level as People Before Profit. 

Independents and other parties attract the support of 9% of voters. 

Party leaders

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and Taoiseach Micheál Martin are essentially tied for the most popular party leaders in the state; 49% of people approve of Ms McDonald, while 48% approve of Mr Martin.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin shakes hands with Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald as Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar looks on at the final TV leaders' debate. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Labour leader Ivana Bacik took the bronze medal with an approval rating of 47%.  

42% of people gave the thumbs up to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar but that is significantly more than the 31% of people who like how Green party leader Eamon Ryan is performing his duties. 

The Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes polled people between 29th September and 11th October; it has a margin of error of 3.3%.

Main image: The Cabinet.