IrishJobs.ie research reveals cautious optimism for growth among companies in Ireland

Dublin - New IrishJobs.ie research has revealed a cautiously optimistic outlook for growth and innovation among companies across Ireland. Although results showed that confidence levels have fallen by just over one-quarter, 59% of companies surveyed claimed that confidence levels remained steady, with 13% claiming to be more confident than last year.

Jane Lorigan, Managing Director, IrishJobs.ie commented: ìThe general message from commentators on the economy has been relatively negative in recent times and while there is a percentage of people whose confidence has dropped, the majority of HR Managers we surveyed feel its business as usual with 83% of companies planning to recruit staff next year, of which 65% will be recruiting due to business expansioníí.

She continued: ìIf one takes recruitment patterns as a barometer of economic confidence, then it is business as usual for a lot of companies in Ireland reflecting a mix of realism and confidence that is crucial to stability and a sustained level of growth.

Sectors experiencing the highest levels of confidence based on the current year and into 2008, were Banking and Finance; Engineering; Beauty and Leisure; and IT. Construction and Manufacturing revealed lower levels of confidence.í

Almost two-thirds of respondents said that salaries are increasing at the same rate/ greater rate as they were one year ago.

Lorigan concluded: ìSalary growth may be a result of a shortage of skilled labour in certain sectors. More than half of companies surveyed perceived there is still a shortage of skilled labour in the market.î

The Irishjobs.ie Employer research was compiled from interviews with HR Managers/ person responsible for recruitment in 307 small, medium and large companies across the Republic of Ireland in 25 industry sectors.