Ireland Faces Skilled Worker Shortage Amid Hiring Challenges, LinkedIn Report Reveals
Dublin – Ireland continues to struggle with a shortage of skilled workers, with 75% of recruitment agencies facing difficulties in finding qualified candidates, according to a new LinkedIn survey. The report highlights that more than half of HR professionals cite a lack of technical expertise as the primary obstacle in hiring.
Skilled Talent in Short Supply
Despite these challenges, optimism in the job market remains high. The survey reveals that two-thirds of recruiters plan to hire more employees this year compared to the previous year. However, many Irish professionals are entering the workforce without the necessary skills to meet modern job demands, with three-quarters of recruiters identifying this as a significant barrier to talent acquisition.
Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming recruitment processes, with 71% of recruiters stating that AI has helped them identify candidates more efficiently while reducing costs. However, the lack of qualified applicants has extended recruitment timelines, with 70% of HR professionals reporting longer hiring processes. Currently, only 40% of applicants meet the full qualifications required for available roles.
Candidate Experience and Employer Branding at Risk
A major issue reported by job seekers is the lack of timely responses from employers. This is confirmed by business owners, with seven in ten recruiters acknowledging that they are unable to personally respond to each applicant due to the overwhelming number of applications. Additionally, 69% of HR professionals admit that delayed responses can negatively impact a company’s reputation and employer branding.
According to LinkedIn Ireland Head Sue Duke, the mismatch between available talent and industry needs remains a key challenge in the Irish job market. The survey, conducted by Censuswide, included 500 HR professionals and talent acquisition specialists, as well as 1,002 respondents aged between 18 and 77.
Policy Changes Could Unlock Skilled Talent from Within Ireland
Many foreign job seekers in Ireland argue that the skills shortage could be alleviated through policy changes. Despite the demand for specialised workers, tens of thousands of highly skilled professionals—including international students and dependent visa holders—face legal barriers preventing them from entering specialist fields and government services.
Currently, 1G visa holders are permitted to apply for positions in the Irish Defence Forces, but restrictions prevent them from accessing higher-skilled government roles and other specialised sectors. Experts suggest that removing these legal barriers could significantly increase the availability of qualified professionals already within the country.
Amid these challenges, 1G visa workers are mobilising for a nationwide campaign to advocate for policy reforms, seeking to address the skilled labour shortage while ensuring better career opportunities for qualified professionals residing in Ireland.
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