Dublin continued to account for the majority of permanent hiring by multinational employers. Candidate activity increased towards the end of the year as registrations rose by 4.3pc quarter on quarter, with workers preparing for new job opportunities in early 2026. Technology hiring remained active, supported by continued demand for skills in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. AI capability was increasingly expected across a range of software development, architecture and project roles. Contract hiring remained common due to project-based funding and timelines.

Source: Irish Independent January 19, 2026 07:02 UTC