Consumer sentiment at the end of last year had reached its best level since June 2007.
The latest KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment index says exiting the bailout may have boosted thinking on the economy and household finances.
However, it cautions that 2014 is set to be a challenging year for sentiment, as hopes for recovery grow.
And despite the improved consumer sentiment, the index notes that sentiment regarding the jobs market was unchanged in the December survey, following a sharp increase in November.
