AI, cybersecurity and software engineers in Ireland are in high demand as more than two-fifths of tech employers (41%) plan to hire this year, reports The Irish Independent, citing research from Irish recruitment firm Stelfox. The research showed that Ireland’s IT sector is gearing up for a rebound. Ireland was found to have been the biggest casualty when it came to tech giants laying off staff last year. It accounted for 40% of EU redundancies in the past three years, according to Dublin-based EU agency Eurofound. Stelfox predicts a rebound this year.

The data showed that approximately 70% of tech employers said wage pressure is a major hurdle they will need to navigate. At the same time, 83% said they are struggling with the availability of talent as demand for skilled professionals ramps up, while 63% of senior leaders believe it is difficult to hire.

Meanwhile, the majority of businesses believe AI has the potential to enhance their productivity and work conditions, but just 29% agree that their organisation has the skills to adopt it. A total of 30% said AI had already enhanced productivity in their business.