Ireland's Tech Hiring Outlook Remains Strong Despite a More Cautious Labour Market
The latest ManpowerGroup Ireland Q3 2026 Employment Outlook Survey reveals that while hiring intentions have softened across the broader Irish labour market, demand for technology talent remains resilient.
With Ireland's overall Net Employment Outlook (NEO) standing at 12%, employers are taking a more measured approach to workforce growth. However, the IT & Tech sector continues to outperform many other industries, reporting a strong NEO of 25% for Q3 2026.
For technology employers and professionals alike, the findings highlight an important trend: while organisations may be hiring more selectively, investment in digital transformation, AI, and critical technology skills remains a priority.
Technology Continues to Lead Workforce Growth
The IT & Tech sector reported one of the strongest hiring outlooks in Ireland, second only to Manufacturing. While hiring sentiment within the sector has moderated compared to the previous quarter, the data suggests that organisations continue to recognise the importance of investing in technology capabilities to remain competitive. As businesses adapt to changing market conditions, technology teams remain central to delivering efficiency, innovation, cybersecurity, customer experience improvements, and long-term growth.
For employers, securing the right technology talent remains a key business priority.
AI Is Driving Productivity and Business Performance
One of the most notable findings from the survey is the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace. Irish employers identified AI-powered workplace tools as one of the leading drivers of productivity growth over the past year. Alongside employee upskilling initiatives, AI is helping organisations streamline processes, improve efficiency, and support better decision-making.
As AI adoption continues to accelerate, demand is increasing for professionals with expertise in:
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Data Engineering and Analytics
Cloud Infrastructure
Software Development
Cybersecurity
Automation and Digital Transformation
For organisations embarking on AI initiatives, attracting and retaining specialist talent will be critical to achieving long-term success.
The Most In-Demand Technical Skills
The survey also explored which technical skills employers are most willing to pay a premium for. Traditional IT & Data skills ranked highest among all technical capabilities, highlighting the continued importance of strong digital foundations.
Demand was also particularly strong for:
Operations and Logistics expertise
AI Model and Application Development
AI Literacy and Digital Skills
Customer-Facing Technology Skills
These findings demonstrate that while AI continues to generate significant interest, organisations still require professionals with core technology, data, and infrastructure expertise to support innovation and business growth.
Human Expertise Still Matters
Despite the growing influence of AI across the workforce, employers continue to value human expertise throughout the recruitment process. When asked which hiring innovations they found most valuable, employers ranked recruiter-led CV reviews ahead of AI-powered screening tools and automated recruitment technologies.
This reflects a broader trend emerging across the technology sector: successful organisations are combining AI-driven efficiency with human judgement, relationship building, and strategic decision-making.
The future of hiring is not human versus AI—it is human and AI working together.
Soft Skills Continue to Differentiate Top Talent
Technical expertise remains essential, but employers are increasingly looking for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with strong interpersonal capabilities. Communication, collaboration, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership were identified as the most valuable soft skills in today's workforce.
As technology professionals work more closely with business leaders and cross-functional teams, these skills are becoming increasingly important for career progression and organisational success.
Looking Ahead
While Ireland's overall hiring outlook has moderated from the highs recorded earlier this year, the technology sector continues to demonstrate resilience. Demand for digital skills remains strong, organisations continue to invest in AI and workforce development, and employers are actively seeking talent that can help drive innovation and transformation.
For businesses navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape, securing the right talent has never been more important. At Experis Ireland, we help organisations connect with the technology professionals they need to build future-ready teams and achieve their business goals.