Updated / 22nd December, 2025

The mood among recruitment firms is growing more positive ahead of the new year, with 46% expecting vacancy levels to rise over the next three months, according to the latest Irish Labour Monthly Monitor from the Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF).

The monitor is commissioned by the ERF and supported by ICON Accounting.

The latest wave was fielded in December and reflects November 2025 results from recruitment and talent firms operating in Ireland.

“November is reading as a steady month. Permanent has held up, temporary is stable, and pay remains broadly flat," said Siobhan Kinsella, president of the ERF.

"What matters now is how we enter the new year, particularly around skills availability and the speed at which employers are making decisions.

The mood among recruitment firms is growing more positive ahead of the new year, with 46% expecting vacancy levels to rise over the next three months, according to the latest Irish Labour Monthly Monitor from the Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF).

The monitor is commissioned by the ERF and supported by ICON Accounting.

The latest wave was fielded in December and reflects November 2025 results from recruitment and talent firms operating in Ireland.

“November is reading as a steady month. Permanent has held up, temporary is stable, and pay remains broadly flat," said Siobhan Kinsella, president of the ERF.

"What matters now is how we enter the new year, particularly around skills availability and the speed at which employers are making decisions.

"The outlook data suggests firms are not seeing a cliff edge, but they are watching pipelines closely, especially as employers continue to struggle to find staff with the right skills.”

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reported a seasonally adjusted employment rate of 4.9% in November and, at the end of the third quarter, the job vacancy rate was 1.3%, pointing to continued labour demand even as employers remain selective.

Notably, despite an increase in unemployment, employment numbers have continued to increase, although the rate of growth has slowed.

Employment grew by 1% year-on-year in Q3. Labour market tightness remains evident, albeit with some modest softening from 2022 and 2023, when it was most acute.

Results in the recruitment market were mixed, but resilience across permanent, contract and temporary hiring in November.

In permanent recruitment, 37% of respondents reported an increase in vacancies compared to the previous month, 29% reported no change, and 34% reported a decrease.

Permanent placements were slightly stronger, with 38% reporting growth, 37% reporting no change and 25% reporting a decrease.

Contract hiring was steady, with 23% reporting an increase in vacancies, 45% reporting no change and 32% reporting a decrease. Contract placements followed a similar pattern, with 28% up, 40% unchanged and 32% down.

In temporary recruitment, 31% reported an increase in vacancies, 45% reported no change, and 24% reported a decrease. Temporary placements were broadly stable, with 30% up, 53% unchanged and 18% down.

There was limited movement in pay during the quarter, with 18% reporting salary increases and 82% reporting no change for permanent roles compared to Q2.

In contract roles, 8% reported pay up, 90% unchanged and 2% down. In temporary roles, 8% reported pay up, 88% unchanged and 5% down.

Firms also reported continued new business activity.

Over the previous month, 54% signed one to two new clients, 19% signed three to five, 4% signed six to ten and 1% signed 11 or more, while 22% reported signing no new clients.

Looking ahead, sentiment is cautiously optimistic. For the next three months, 46% expect the number of vacancies to rise, 38% expect no change, and 16% expect a decrease.

On candidate availability, 34% expect an increase in the number of qualified candidates, 53% expect no change, and 14% expect a decrease.