Recruitment group CPL Resources has reported a 26% rise in pre-tax profits for the year to the end of June, and said that it expects to achieve further profitable growth in the months ahead.

CPL Resources said its pre-tax profits rose to €12.3m from €9.75m while revenues increased by 14% to €330.8m from €290.24m the previous year.

The company said the improved results were driven by increased demands for its services and reflected growth across all its major business areas and locations.

''This has been achieved in challenging and highly competitive markets and in the face of continuing economic uncertainty in these markets,'' it added.

Its total dividend per share for the year rose by 31% to 8.5 cent from 6.5 cent.

The company said that it continued to manage its costs closely, while it had net assets of over €63m by the end of June.

Shares in the company closed 0.4% lower at €6 in Dublin trade today.

CPL chairman John Hennessy said that there are some signs of economic recovery in certain markets in which it operates. ''It is too early to predict whether these signs indicate a sustained recovery. However, we do expect to achieve further profitable growth in the months ahead,'' he added.

Anne Heraty, the company's chief executive, noted the ''solid progress' achieved in the 12 month period. She said that demand for the company's services, especially in technology, healthcare and finance, continued to improve during the year.

''We increased our permanent placement business by 16%. In addition, we expanded our international footprint and established a successful new training business, Cpl Learning and Development,'' Ms Heraty added.

The company offers a diverse range of services to over 1,500 clients each year, including temporary staffing, permanent recruitment, managed services and outsourcing. 67% of its gross profit is derived from temporary staffing/managed services.

It noted a ''welcome improvement'' in the Irish labour force in the past year, with a decline in the unemployment rate and an increase in the number of people employed. Foreign direct investment into the country remained strong, with some notable gains in technology, pharma and financial services sector, the company noted.

There was an increase in demand in the second half of its financial year from indigenous companies, it added in today's results statement.