Q1 2026 Tech Recruitment Market Update for Ireland
What are the key trends we see in the tech recruitment market in 2026?
As we make our way though Q1 of 2026 we can already start to see some trends emerging after 2025. Building on my Q4 2025 review, the first quarter of 2026 has seen the Irish tech market shift from a “wait and see” stance to a phase of strategic, high-value movement. The “caution” I noted in late 2025 has matured into a more deliberate and specialised hiring environment.
This maturation phase could mean the era of hyper-growth is behind us, replaced by a “deliberate hiring” culture where specialised skills and commercial ROI take centre stage.
Here is an overview of the key points, trends, and data we are seeing right now:
1. Market Sentiment: The “Steadier Rhythm”
The headline for Q1 2026 is resilience over rapid expansion. While global headlines might suggest caution, the Irish market remains robust. According to the CSO, unemployment numbers in Ireland in January 2026 were 4.7% (up from 4.5% in January 2025). This is still very low.
Companies are no longer hiring for “volume”. They are hiring more deliberately. If a role doesn’t directly support a strategic pivot (like AI integration), it’s likely being deferred.
In the Employment & Recruitment Federations of Ireland’s monthly monitor, recruiters in Ireland were surveyed and 46% of respondents expected to see an increase in volume of roles in Ireland in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025. So there is optimism in the market.
The uncertainty created in early 2025 from the US government, tariffs and geopolitical tensions has dissipated somewhat. This is giving companies a bit more confidence to go out and hire again.
2. The “Triple Threat” of In-Demand Skills
Hiring is heavily concentrated in three converging pillars. Candidates who sit at the intersection of these are seeing the highest salary increases.
- AI & Data Science (The Integration Phase): We have moved past experimenting with AI. Companies are now hiring for Agentic AI and LLM Integration. According to our own salary guide, we have seen these salaries increase on average by 4.6%.
What are some of the growing jobs in the AI space?
AI Engineers, MLOps, Data Governance Specialists.
- Cybersecurity (The Compliance Driver): New European regulations like NIS2 and DORA are forcing companies to hire. Security is no longer an IT cost; it’s a board-level risk priority.
- Cloud & Platform Engineering: The focus has shifted from moving to the cloud to optimising the cloud.
Hot roles: FinOps (cloud cost optimisation), DevSecOps, and SREs.
3. What are the Current Salary and Compensation Trends for 2026?
Expect to see modest but targeted increases. Average salary growth is hovering around 3–5%, but specialised roles are outliers.
Senior Data Architects: Seeing jumps from €140k up to €160k+.
Product Owners/Scrum Masters: Baseline increases are visible (e.g., €55k to €65k for mid-level).
The Transparency Gap: Interestingly, in a study conducted by Indeed, only 34% of job ads in Ireland showed salary. This is the lowest level since 2021. With the imminent arrival of the EU’s new pay transparency legislation, this will all have to change.
4. Key Movements & Talent Shifts
Contractor-First Strategy: Many “Big Tech” firms are using a contractor-first approach for major 2026 projects (AI rollouts and regulatory compliance). This offers them the agility they need while managing permanent headcount costs. This, in our observations, is not being seen as prominently in the SME segment of the tech sector.
The “Job Hugging” Phenomenon: According to research from Linkedin, around 64% of workers are choosing to stay with their current employers rather than risk a move, waiting for clearer economic signals. This “job hugging” is creating a tight supply of experienced talent.
Regional Growth: While Dublin remains the hub (45% of roles), Cork, Galway, and Limerick are seeing a surge in specialised hubs (e.g., Cork for Cyber, Galway for MedTech).
5. The “Recruitment Experience” Evolution
We have seen a shift in how companies are hiring through 2025 into 2026. Here are some key observations:
- Skills-Based Hiring: Degrees are losing weight; certifications (CCNP, AWS, CISSP, Kubernetes) and project portfolios are winning.
- Complexity: Hiring processes have become more rigorous, often involving multiple rounds of practical assessments rather than abstract whiteboard tests.
- Flexibility is the “Baseline”: Hybrid work (roughly 80% of roles) is no longer a perk- it is a standard requirement for 2026 candidates. This requirement of candidates sits in opposition to the trend we have seen from employers trying to get people back into the office throughout 2025.
As we move deeper into 2026, the Irish tech market has found its rhythm. It isn’t the frantic pace of 2021, nor is it the paralysis of early 2025. It is a market of precision—where the right skills in AI, Cyber, and Cloud are more valuable than ever, and where ‘Job Hugging’ means only the most compelling employer brands can attract top-tier talent.
You can reach out to us if you want to discuss any of these insights on info@gempool.ie or check out our insights section of our website.
