Ireland’s latest OECD trust findings offer a revealing snapshot of how people view the state institutions they rely on every day. The new results, published via gov.ie and supported by Irish findings from the CSO, suggest that confidence in core public services remains relatively strong even as concerns over housing and the cost of living continue to shape public opinion.
The survey, welcomed by Minister Jack Chambers, examines what drives trust in public institutions across OECD countries. For Ireland, the message is broadly positive: people report solid confidence in the civil service, high trust in the police and courts, and strong satisfaction with administrative services. At the same time, the findings show that maintaining trust requires more than efficient delivery alone. Transparency, responsiveness and a meaningful citizen voice remain central to how government performance is judged.
What the gov.ie trust survey found
The report highlights several areas where Ireland compares well internationally. Trust in the civil service reached 64%, placing Ireland among the stronger OECD performers. Trust in policing was also notable, with 70% of respondents saying they trust An Garda Síochána, while 68% expressed trust in the courts and broader justice system.
Satisfaction with administrative services stood at 68%, pointing to a relatively positive experience when people deal with state bodies. That matters across a wide public sector landscape, from the Revenue Commissioners and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the National Transport Authority (NTA). The survey also found that Irish respondents were especially satisfied with the availability of information about public services, a key factor in public trust.
- 64% trust in the civil service
- 70% trust in police services
- 68% trust in the courts
- 68% satisfaction with administrative services
- 44% trust in national government, above the OECD average of 40%
Why trust in public institutions matters
Trust is not just a reputation measure; it affects how well a country can govern. When people have confidence in public institutions, they are generally more willing to engage with services, comply with rules and participate in civic life. That applies across departments and agencies involved in Finance, Housing, Health, Social Protection, Education, Transport and Climate Action.
The gov.ie release also points to strong civic participation in Ireland. Compared with many OECD peers, people here are more likely to contact elected representatives, sign petitions and take part in public consultations. That suggests that trust is closely linked to whether citizens feel heard, not simply whether services are delivered on time.
Read more: Public sector reforms and digital services in Ireland
Digital transformation is a growing part of this story. As more interactions move online across gov.ie, local government and agencies such as Citizens Information Board, Tailte Éireann and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), public expectations are rising around accessibility, clarity and accountability.
Where the pressure points remain
Despite the positive results, the survey is not without warnings. Housing and inflation continue to weigh heavily on public sentiment. These are everyday issues that often shape confidence in government more directly than institutional performance metrics. For departments tied to Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Public Expenditure and Social Protection, this underlines the need for visible outcomes, not just policy intent.
The findings also note trust gaps between different groups in society. That matters because public confidence is strongest when services are felt to be fair, inclusive and responsive across the board. Institutions such as the Department of the Taoiseach, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Tusla, HIQA and the Data Protection Commission (DPC) all play roles in shaping that wider experience of the state.
Explore: How citizens judge service quality and accountability
Minister Chambers linked the findings to Better Public Services 2030, the government’s long-term public service transformation strategy. The emphasis is clear: improve services, deepen participation and ensure innovation strengthens, rather than weakens, public sector values.
What this means for Ireland next
The latest gov.ie update shows that Ireland has a relatively strong foundation of trust in public institutions, but that foundation cannot be taken for granted. Strong scores for the civil service, An Garda Síochána and administrative services are important, yet issues such as housing affordability and inflation will continue to influence whether people believe the state is meeting their needs.
For policymakers, the lesson is straightforward. Trust grows when institutions are open, competent and responsive. The OECD findings give Ireland a useful benchmark, and they also make one point unmistakable: public confidence is earned through consistent delivery. As gov.ie and the CSO underline these results, the challenge now is to convert solid institutional trust into better day-to-day outcomes for everyone.
Read more: Why public trust shapes modern government performance
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
