The Shifting Landscape of Irish Recruitment: Job Openings Contract as AI Reshapes Roles
Job openings across Ireland fell by 7.2% in the second quarter of the year compared to the previous quarter, marking a 9.9% decline year-on-year, according to the latest employment monitor from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley Ireland.
Contract Hiring Fills the Gap
As organizations hesitate to increase permanent headcount, contract and temporary hiring has gained significant ground. This strategy allows companies to maintain momentum on critical projects without the long-term financial commitment of full-time hires. Data from Morgan McKinley Ireland shows that while jobseeker numbers also dipped by 6.8% quarter-on-quarter, the volume of people looking for work remains 18.4% higher than it was this time last year.
Did you know? Employers are increasingly favoring candidates who can demonstrate commercial thinking and technical expertise, as routine administrative tasks are now being absorbed by automation.
Where Demand Remains High
Despite the overall contraction in vacancies, recruitment activity remains robust in specific sectors. According to the monitor, employers are actively seeking talent in the following areas:
- Regulation and risk management
- Infrastructure and transformation
- Data and AI
- Specialist project delivery
Salary growth, however, remains largely stagnant across the broader market. Exceptions exist only in highly specialized niches, such as AI engineering, employment law, regulatory reporting, and senior construction or specialist engineering or life sciences project roles.
The Return-to-Office Tightening
Hybrid work remains the standard, but the definition of “flexibility” is narrowing. The Morgan McKinley Ireland monitor reports that three days in the office is becoming the new default. Some employers are now pushing for four or five days on-site, a shift that is creating friction with candidates who continue to prioritize flexible working arrangements.
Pro Tip: If you are currently interviewing, be prepared to clearly articulate your value proposition. With employers exercising more choice, candidates must work harder to demonstrate how their skills justify a hire, especially as companies evaluate whether existing team members can absorb tasks through AI-assisted workflows.
How AI is Changing the Hiring Calculus
Employers have moved beyond “first-wave” AI adoption and are now questioning how the technology fundamentally changes team structures. Trayc Keevans, Global FDI Director at Morgan McKinley Ireland, notes that AI is sharpening the shift in bargaining power toward employers. “If parts of a job can be automated, simplified or absorbed by existing teams, employers will question whether that role needs to be replaced in the same way,” Keevans stated.
This does not signal the end of professional roles, but it does mean that routine operational work faces increased pressure. Employers are placing a higher premium on human-centric skills, including professional judgment, client management, and deep technical expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AI replacing professional jobs in Ireland?
According to Morgan McKinley Ireland, AI is not wiping out professional jobs. Instead, it is changing how roles are structured, leading to fewer automatic replacements and higher pressure on routine administrative tasks.
Are salaries increasing in the current market?
Salary growth is largely flat. Increases are currently limited to specialized areas like AI engineering, employment law, and senior roles in construction or life sciences.
What is the current trend for hybrid working?
Hybrid working is established, but expectations are tightening. Three days in the office is becoming the default, with some firms moving toward four or five days on-site.
Are you seeing these shifts in your own industry? Share your experiences in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on the Irish labor market.
