Almost half of employers have reduced the number of entry and graduate level roles available in their organisations amid rising labour costs and increased AI adoption, according to new research from hiring platform IrishJobs.
The latest IrishJobs hiring trends report also shows that two-thirds of employers believe the skills needed in their industry are rapidly evolving.
According to the research, nearly half of employers plan to increase hiring in the second half of 2026, while 83% of recruiters said that hiring is now more strategic and focused on specific roles.
Almost 40% of employers increased recruitment levels in the first half of the year.
Despite some recent high profile job cuts in the tech sector, 56% of employers in the IT and telecoms sector increased hiring over the last six months.
More than a quarter of firms in Ireland are hiring for highly specialised roles in AI and machine learning.
The research found that technical skills are highly in demand across a range of industries, with 22% of employers looking for skilled cybersecurity talent and 23% seeking technology and engineering talent.
"It's clear from the findings that despite ongoing economic uncertainty, Ireland’s labour market remains fundamentally resilient," Christopher Paye, Country Director of The Stepstone Group Ireland with responsibility for IrishJobs.
"Employers are planning for growth, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and construction, where demand for skilled talent continues to outpace supply."
"Rising labour costs and advances in AI are also reshaping workforce planning, prompting many employers to rebalance their hiring mix and focus on experienced talent with in-demand skills," Mr Paye said.
The IrishJobs Hiring Trends Update gathered insights from over 500 HR leaders and nearly 1,000 jobseekers in Ireland in March and April.
