October 2011 - market research by the National Consumer Agency on Irish consumers and household budgets - 64% of consumers say household income has decreased since the same time a year ago

1. National Consumer Agency Market Research Findings: Household Budgeting and Financial Planning September 20 11 Research Conducted by

3. Key Findings

6. Household Budgeting and Financial Planning

7. Household Income & Expenditure - Overview Increased a lot (5) Increased a little (4) Remained the same (3) Decreased a little (2) Decreased a lot (1) INCOME EXPENDITURE (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000 ) () = Nov/Dec 2010 Don’t know % % 64% (61%) 77% (66%) (1) (3) (31) (37) (24) (4) (6) (18) (19) (41) (9) (7)

8. Household Income & Expenditure - I Increased a lot (5) Increased a little (4) Remained the same (3) Decreased a little (2) Decreased a lot (1) % Increased (%4/5) % Stayed the same (%3) % Decreased (%1/2) INCOME: EXPENDITURE: (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) (27) (41) (25) Don't know = 7% (7% ) 89% (88%) 44% (42%) 79% (74%) () = Nov/Dec 2010 (1) (1) (12) (46) (42) (4) (54) (32) (10) (-) (2) (5) (19) (42) (32)

9. Household Income & Expenditure - II Increased a lot (5) Increased a little (4) Remained the same (3) Decreased a little (2) Decreased a lot (1) % %4/5 Increased: Base is too Small to Analyse Stayed the same (%3) % Decreased (%1/2) EXPENDITURE: INCOME: (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) (61) (31) (4) Don't know = 5% (4% ) () = June 2010 50% (31%) 25% (16%) 23% (39%) (9) (22) (29) (24) (15) (2) (14) (73) (10) (1) (1) Don’t know

10. One Word to Describe: Ireland Right Now (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) June 2010 May/June 2011 Nov/Dec 2010

11. One Word to Describe: Your Current Financial Situation (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) May/June 2011

12. One Word to Describe: How You Yourself Feel Right Now (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) Nov/Dec 2010 June 2010 May/June 2011

13. One Word to Describe: Your Job (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) The predominant word used to describe how consumers currently feel about their job is ‘None’ – driven by those who are currently unemployed. However, when ‘none’ is removed – most describe their job as ‘Good’.

14. Economic Outlook – I Agree (4) Agree Strongly (5) Disagree (2) Disagree strongly (1) 73% * New Statement 72% 73% 64% 64% 65% 65% (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) May/June ‘11 Nov/Dec ‘10 June ‘10 As a result of the recession I will continue to shop around for better deals when the economy has settled I am holding off on buying large spend items * I have learnt to manage my finances better as a result of the recession and will continue to do so going forward Neither/Nor (3) Mean Score 21 3.9 18 3.9 21 3.8 25 3.8 27 3.7 21 3.7 24 3.7

15. Economic Outlook – II Agree (4) Agree Strongly (5) Disagree (2) Disagree strongly (1) 53% (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) May/June ‘11 Nov/Dec ‘10 June ‘10 48% 16% 11% 31% 12% 9% 12% 68% 77% 38% 79% 67% 51% I am constantly looking for better value and am switching providers regularly to achieve this Ireland will be through the worst of the recession in 12 months time I am more relaxed about spending money than I was 6 months ago Neither/Nor (3) Mean Score 29 3.5 25 3.3 16 2.2 12 1.9 31 2.8 21 2.2 12 1.9 27 2.6

16. One Word to Describe: Ireland in 12 Months Time (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) Nov/Dec 2010 June 2010 May/June 2011

17. One Word to Describe: Your Future (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) Nov/Dec 2010 May/June 2011 June 2010

18. Factors Which Influence Choice of Institution For.... (Base: All with a current a/c - 852) % % Current Account Savings Accounts (Base: All with a savings a/c - 848) Most Influence Any Influence Most Influence Any Influence Fees & Charges Interest paid on balance Stability/security of institution Familiarity/Past experience Recommendations from family/friends Advice given from financial advisor/broker Advertising and media coverage Fees & charges Stability/security of institution Familiarity/Past experience Interest paid on balance Recommendations from family/friends Debit Interest rate Advice given from financial advisor/broker Advertising and media coverage

22. Downgrade and Renewal of Policies Don’t know (Base: All who currently have each insurance Policy) % Have you Downgraded your Policy in the last 12 Months due to Cost? No % Yes (Base: All with health insurance - 482) Likelihood to Renew Health Insurance Policy at Renewal Date (Base: 736) (Base: 624) (Base: 482) Motor Insurance Home Insurance Health Insurance

23. Research Background and Methodology

25. B. Profile of Sample – I (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) Male Female % % % % 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Conn/ Ulster ABC1 F50+ C2DE F50- MAIN GROCERY SHOPPER Yes No

26. B. Profile of Sample – II – Main Grocery Shoppers (Base: All Mainly Responsible for Grocery Shopping in Home – 504) Male (49) Female (51) % % % % 15-24 (17) 25-34 (22) 35-44 (19) 45-54 (16) 55+ (26) ABC1 F50+ (48) C2DE F50- (52) ( ) = Total Sample Dublin (28) Rest of Leinster (26) Munster (28) Conn/ Ulster (18)

27. B. Profile of Sample – III – Internet Use (Base: All aged 15-74 – 1,000) USE INTERNET No Yes EVER PURCHASED ONLINE No Yes BANKING ONLINE No Yes (Base: All Internet Users - 750) (Base: All Internet Users - 750) () = figures from Nov/Dec 2010 (72%) (28%) (48%) (52%) (30%) (70%) % Yes % Yes % Yes Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+