More voters would prefer the Coalition of Fianna Fáil and the PDs to an alternative of Fine Gael, Labour and possibly the Greens to form the next government, according to the latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll.
The finding is a clear reversal of the position in the last poll in September which showed a clear margin in favour of the alternative coalition.
Since then the Government has won increased public confidence in its ability to handle a number of key issues including the economy and prices, the poll shows.
Some 39 per cent would prefer to see Fianna Fáil and the PDs form the next government, an increase of 8 points since September.
A combination of Fine Gael, Labour and possibly the Green Party is favoured by 33 per cent, down 3 points. Some 16 per cent want neither of these, down 4 points, and 12 per cent gave no opinion, down 1.
The Fianna Fáil-PD combination has the greatest lead over the alternative in Leinster excluding Dublin, among rural voters, the over-50s and farmers.
The alternative of Fine Gael, Labour and possibly the Greens leads the current Coalition in Dublin and in the 25-34 age group, and is neck and neck with them in urban areas in general.
The current Government's ratings on six key issues have improved since September, and they are now seen as better than the possible alternative at handling five of these: the economy, keeping taxes low, managing the Northern Ireland peace process and providing affordable and good-quality childcare. The two are virtually neck and neck on the issue of who would best control consumer prices. Only on the question of who would best manage the health services does the alternative have a lead.
The poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 people at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State.
It adds to the evidence provided by the party support figures published yesterday that the Government has received a boost in popularity, arising partly from the recent Budget and a public perception that the economic prospects are good.
Some 44 per cent now believe the Fianna Fáil-PD combination would be better at managing the economy, an increase of 11 points since September.
In contrast 29 per cent believe the alternative combination would be better at managing the economy, down 2 points. Some 13 per cent said neither, down 6 points, and 15 per cent gave no opinion, down 2.
On controlling consumer prices 32 per cent believe Fianna Fáil and the PDs would be better, up 9; 31 per cent believe the alternative would be better, down 4; 20 per cent said neither, down 4; and 17 per cent have no opinion, down 1.
Some 39 per cent believe the Government would be better at keeping taxes low, up 9 points; 25 per cent believe the alternative would be better at this, down 5 points; 19 per cent opted for neither, down 3 points, and 17 per cent have no opinion, down 1 point.
A combination of Fine Gael, Labour and possibly the Greens lead on the question of improving the health service, with 33 per cent saying they would be better at this, unchanged; 24 per cent believe the Government would be better, down 1; 23 per cent said neither, down 2 and 20 per cent gave no opinion, up 2.
Some 48 per cent believe the Government would be better at managing the Northern Ireland peace process, up 8 points; just 20 per cent believe the alternative coalition would be better, unchanged; 13 per cent don't know, down 6; and 20 per cent have no opinion, down 1.
Finally, on the question of providing affordable and good-quality healthcare, 31 per cent believe the current Coalition would be better, up 8; 28 per cent that the alternative would be better, down 5; 16 per cent neither, down 7; and 25 per cent no opinion, up 3.