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Irish professional job vacancies tumble in December

Irish professional job vacancies tumble in December

Danny Romero
| January 17, 2025

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The number of professional job openings in Ireland fell by 36.7% in December 2024 when compared with December 2023, according to the Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor for Q4 2024.

compared to the prior month, professional job openings were down 34.2%.

The monitor also reported a 14.6% decline in professional job openings compared to the previous quarter, reflecting cautious hiring strategies by multinationals amid global economic uncertainties.

“The end of 2024 was marked by global economic caution, exacerbated by the US presidential election and ongoing concerns about corporate tax and trade policy changes,” Trayc Keevans, Global FDI (foreign direct investment) Director, Morgan McKinley Ireland, said in a press release. “Multinational firms in Ireland, particularly in technology and life sciences, scaled back hiring amid these uncertainties.”

Despite the decline in Q4, the Irish employment market remained active with sectors and disciplines such as regulatory compliance, financial services, and emerging technologies like AI and automation showing resilience, offering targeted opportunities for skilled professionals, the monitor noted.

Meanwhile, the number of professional job seekers rose by 6.8% in Q4 when compared to Q3, increasing competition for fewer roles.

“The technology sector saw a sharp rise in demand in the final quarter of 2024, driven by end-of-year project deadlines and preparations for the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA),” Keevans said. “Expertise in automation, AI, and regulatory compliance was in high demand, especially in Dublin. This shift towards highly specialised roles highlights a continued imbalance between job seekers and available positions, reflecting employers’ focus on critical skills.”

Morgan McKinley’s monitor also noted that the onsite work push, housing crisis, and rising living costs slowed job mobility.

“Looking ahead, AI and automation are expected to drive further growth as companies accelerate digital transformation initiatives,” Keevans added.