Hiring in Ireland is still competitive, although the market cooled slightly at the end of 2025. Unemployment finished the year at 5.0% according to the CSO Monthly Unemployment, December 2025. Employment remains near record highs, and most forecasters expect steady, slower growth in 2026. Below, we translate the latest data into practical guidance for employers and jobseekers.
At a glance
- Labour market is resilient, unemployment at 5.0% with high participation.
- Skills shortages persist in science, engineering, ICT, healthcare and construction.
- Candidates are more selective, prioritising progression, flexibility and culture.
- Hybrid is baseline, Ireland is among Europe’s leaders for remote and hybrid postings.
- Housing completions accelerated in 2025, demand still exceeds supply.
- International hiring remains an essential release valve for shortages.
Headline outlook for 2026
The ESRI Quarterly Economic Commentary, Winter 2025 expects Modified Domestic Demand to ease in 2026 following a strong 2025, with unemployment drifting slightly higher as employment growth moderates. The takeaway is balance rather than weakness, with a still active jobs market and more measured hiring.
What to do now
- Employers: tighten your brief, align interviewers, and move decisively at offer stage.
- Employers: explore retained search for critical hires to secure senior and specialist talent.
- Employers: get professional temps on short notice to maintain continuity and flexibility.
- Jobseekers: be explicit about the long-term value you bring, not just the next role.
Skills shortages remain the defining challenge
Shortages continue across science, engineering, ICT, healthcare and construction, according to the SOLAS National Skills Bulletin 2025. Ireland also increased the use of international talent, issuing 39,390 employment permits in 2024, led by Health and Social Work and Information and Communication, per the DETE Employment Permit Statistics 2024
ICE Jobs guidance
- Reduce unnecessary steps by setting clear criteria from the start, keeping interviews to two stages at most, and responding to candidates quickly
- Highlight the growth on offer. Show candidates the progression path, the mentoring they’ll receive, and the level of ownership they can take on. It helps you secure strong talent in a competitive market.
Experienced talent is driving the market
The late 2025 softening raised the premium on job-ready hires who can operate independently and deliver value quickly. Teams are still growing, but managers want shorter ramps and clearer impact. See the ESRI commentary
ICE Jobs guidance
- Use a single, structured interview panel along with a task that reflects the real work. It gives you a clear sense of the candidate’s ability, confirms their fit for the role, and helps you make faster, more confident hiring decisions
Career moves are more strategic in 2026
Candidate intent to move remains high, but choices are more selective. Surveys through 2025 show progression, flexibility, culture and stability as top decision drivers. See the CIPD HR Practices in Ireland 2025
ICE Jobs guidance
- Lead with growth. Put the first six months, the first year outcomes and the pathway to promotion up front in the role brief.
Hybrid working is the baseline, not a benefit
Ireland ranks among the highest in Europe for flexible work availability. LinkedIn data show remote and hybrid postings here outpace the European average, which aligns with what we see daily in candidate expectations. Summary via TechCentral
ICE Jobs guidance
- Make the working model easy to understand. Outline the expected in‑office schedule, your approach to teamwork, and the way success is measured.
Sector snapshots: housing and FDI
Housing supply
New dwelling completions rose 35% year on year in Q2 2025 to 9,214, with apartment delivery more than doubling. Supply is improving, although estimates of need remain higher than current output. Data: CSO New Dwelling Completions Q2 2025
FDI and high-value roles
IDA reported a record year of investments in 2025, with strong commitments in R&D, digitalisation, AI and sustainability, and a healthy regional spread. This continues to seed specialist roles outside Dublin as projects embed. Round up: Silicon Republic end year summary
Pay signals to watch
Advertised wage growth remained positive through late 2025, consistent with a still tight labour market even as unemployment ticked up. See Indeed Hiring Lab 2025 Ireland
ICE Jobs guidance
- Think in terms of total reward rather than salary alone. Competitive pay supported by development opportunities, defined progression, and flexible working helps you win offers in a tight market.
International hiring remains essential
Where local supply is constrained, targeted relocation and the Critical Skills route continue to be effective, particularly for engineers, ICT specialists and health professionals. Stats: DETE Employment Permit Statistics 2024
ICE Jobs guidance
- Be clear from the start about whether the role is local or global. Global hiring needs extra time for processing, so plan ahead and organise the onboarding support the person will need.
Start 2026 strong with ICE Jobs
- Building teams across Science, Medtech, Engineering, ICT, HR, Office Support and Administration.
- Hiring experienced talent that must deliver quickly
- Aligning flexible work models with clear performance frameworks
Let’s talk. We can review your role brief, streamline your process, and build a candidate pipeline that converts.
Contact us today on 091 475 100 to get started.
