A survey of Irish employers finds companies are looking to expand and need workers.
The Irish economy has been hit by the foot and mouth crisis, the collapse of the hi-tech sector, a global recession, September 11, and a rapid deterioration in public finances. Despite all of this, one in two employers still have job vacancies.
Almost one out of every two companies in Ireland are seeking to hire workers and almost one in four say they would expand their businesses if they could hire more people.
According to the eight annual employment survey from the IBEC Small Firms Association there are vacancies throughout the country and employers are finding it challenging to fill available positions. However, the Small Firms Association says there needs to be an improvement in skills level and a lowering of wage expectations.
Keeping wage expectations to realistic levels is a key priority for employers.
The report shows that 43 per cent of Irish employers currently have vacancies and 22 per cent say they want to expand their businesses. On a sectoral basis, 55 per cent of retailers have vacancies, 33 per cent of service companies are looking for skilled workers, and a total 36,238 jobs are expected to be created by small private sector companies alone this year.
Pat Delaney, Director of the Small Firms Association, says that although there is some good news in the survey, the situation will get worse if we see upward pressure on interest rates and the Euro placing increased pressure on Irish exports.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 March 2002. The reporter is George Lee.
