Advertised job vacancies in Ireland dropped by 17% last year, according to a new report from FRS Recruitment, with increased reliance on automation, rising business costs, and the threat of US tariffs cited as key factors behind the decline.
The report found that many companies invested in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to manage employment costs, reducing the need to fill certain roles. Positions increasingly at risk of obsolescence included general engineering operatives, multilingual customer service roles in business support, and jobs in accounts payable and receivable.
Despite the overall decline, IT vacancies continued to grow as businesses expanded AI infrastructure and pursued cloud transformation projects. The report also highlighted sharp sector-specific drops, with agri-food job postings falling 15% and accounting and finance roles declining 40%, particularly in areas exposed to potential US tariffs.
Tensions over workplace arrangements contributed to the decline in hiring. The report noted that a significant number of positions were advertised as strictly office-based, contrasting with many employees’ preference for flexible working. This mismatch left a number of vacancies unfilled last year.
Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS Recruitment, said the Irish jobs market is expected to recover in 2026. “With a tariff agreement now in place, there is much more trading certainty for businesses, and I would expect to see a rebound in the jobs market for 2026,” she said. McCormack added that FRS Recruitment observed a resurgence in job postings during the final quarter of 2025, a trend likely to continue into the first half of this year.
She also noted that while Ireland’s labour market remains tight, competition for talent is increasing. “It’s also likely we will continue to see trends around investment in AI technology and automation, as well as increased focus by employers on return-to-office policies,” McCormack said.
The FRS report underscores the ongoing impact of technology on the labour market, highlighting the growing influence of AI in shaping employment trends. While some sectors face job reductions, IT and technology-related roles are expanding, reflecting broader shifts in how businesses operate and manage costs.
Analysts say the decline in advertised vacancies may not fully capture labour demand, as companies increasingly rely on automation or internal redeployment of staff to meet operational needs. The report suggests that employers will need to balance technological investment with strategies to attract and retain workers, particularly as flexible working expectations remain high.
As Ireland enters 2026, the combination of economic growth, tight labour supply, and technological change will shape both opportunities and challenges for businesses and jobseekers alike.
