Insights

Published November 2026 · Data for Q3 2026

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The short version

Ireland's economy is still growing and employers are still hiring, but they are more cautious. Permanent roles take longer to fill, contract and temporary work is picking up, and salaries are mostly stable. For job seekers, that means more patience, more flexibility and a sharper pitch.

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This update draws on the Irish Labour Market Monthly Monitor for Q3 2026, research by Ipsos B&A for the Employment and Recruitment Federation of Ireland (ERF), based on a monthly survey of recruitment businesses across Ireland.

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The big picture: resilient, but softer

• Unemployment is edging up. According to the CSO, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.0% in September 2026, compared with 4.9% a year earlier and 4.1% in September 2024.

• Jobs are still being created. The Department of Finance expects employment to grow by 74,000 by the end of 2027, reaching about 2.89 million.

• Vacancies have not collapsed. The ESRI assesses the job vacancy rate at above 1%, close to its pre-pandemic level.

• Not every sector is moving the same way. ICT employment has fallen over the past 12 to 18 months, while export-oriented sectors and multinationals remain central to Ireland's economy.

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What recruiters are reporting

Permanent hiring has slowed. The ERF reports that employers have grown more cautious about staffing and costs during 2026. Many still hire when there is a clear business need, but uncertainty and the cost of permanent positions are leading more of them to delay decisions.

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Hiring takes longer. In September, 52% of recruiters said permanent roles were taking longer to fill than three months earlier. Only 1% said hiring had become faster.

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Contract and temporary work is growing. The share of recruiters reporting more contract placements rose from 28% in July to 37% in September. Temporary placements also increased over the quarter. Employers are turning to flexible solutions while they wait for more certainty.

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Salaries are mostly stable. More than seven in ten recruiters said pay levels were unchanged across permanent, contract and temporary roles. Wage growth is expected to slow: the Central Bank forecasts average compensation growth of 4.7% in 2026 and 3.8% in 2027.

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Employers still struggle to find the right people. Recruiters were more optimistic about vacancy numbers than about the supply of qualified candidates. The ERF points to skills-match problems, especially among Irish SMEs. In a crowded market, employers still cannot always find the profile they need.

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What this means for your job search

1. Expect a longer process for permanent roles, and keep several conversations going at once.

2. Take contract and interim roles seriously. They are growing, they often move faster, and they can lead to permanent positions.

3. Be precise about your skills. Employers report skills gaps even with more candidates available. Make it obvious which gap you fill.

4. Base your salary expectations on today's market. Pay is stable rather than rising fast, so a well-researched, realistic range will serve you better than an ambitious one.

5. Look beyond the largest employers. SMEs report the hardest time finding qualified people, which can mean less competition and more room to make an impact.

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The bottom line

The Irish market heading into 2027 is not closed, but it is slower and more selective. Candidates who stay flexible on format, clear about their skills and realistic on timing will be best placed when hiring picks up.

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Planning your next move in this market? I help professionals understand where their experience is in demand and how to position themselves for it. Based in Dublin, recruiting across Ireland, Ukraine and Central & Eastern Europe. Book a consultation