Tech Hiring in Ireland During and After COVID: Boom, Correction, and What Comes Next

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped Ireland’s labour market in unprecedented ways, and nowhere was this more evident than in the tech sector. While many industries stalled or contracted, technology hiring accelerated rapidly — creating a boom that defined the period from 2020 through much of 2022.

A Pandemic-Driven Hiring Surge

As businesses moved online almost overnight, demand surged for digital infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, software development and data expertise. Ireland, already a European tech hub, saw strong hiring activity from both multinational tech firms and indigenous companies looking to adapt quickly.

Remote working also played a role. Employers broadened their talent pools, projects scaled rapidly, and teams were built at speed. For tech professionals, opportunities were plentiful and competition for skilled candidates was intense.

However, the pace of hiring during this period was unusual, and, in hindsight, unsustainable.

Rapid Upskilling and Over-Expansion

Many organisations invested heavily in talent to meet immediate needs, often hiring ahead of long-term demand. Teams expanded quickly, sometimes without clear visibility on how those roles would evolve once pandemic conditions eased.

As Peter Kibry, Director at Fruition Group, puts it:

“In the COVID period, there was too much recruitment in my opinion. A lot of companies upskilled very quickly and brought in a large amount of talent. Unfortunately, there has since been a downturn and a wave of redundancies across the tech sector. I think we’re now at a point where things have levelled out, and the signs are looking really good for 2026.”

This perspective reflects a broader industry reality.

The Market Correction

From late 2022 onwards, global economic pressures, rising costs and a reassessment of growth strategies led many tech companies to pause hiring or reduce headcount. Ireland was not immune to this trend, and redundancies - particularly in large tech organisations - dominated headlines.

That said, the slowdown was less about the disappearance of tech roles and more about recalibration. Hiring became more selective, focused on critical skills rather than rapid expansion. Specialist roles in areas such as cloud architecture, cybersecurity, data engineering and AI remained in demand, even as overall hiring volumes dipped.

A More Balanced Tech Landscape

Today, Ireland’s tech hiring market appears more stable and mature. Companies are hiring with clearer intent, workforce planning has improved, and there is a stronger emphasis on sustainable growth rather than rapid scaling.

Regional tech hubs outside Dublin have also continued to grow, contributing to a more balanced national ecosystem and offering professionals greater flexibility in where and how they work.

Looking Ahead: Optimism for 2026

While the post-COVID correction has been challenging for many, it has helped reset expectations and bring balance back to the market. With digital transformation still a priority across industries, Ireland remains well-positioned as a tech centre in Europe.

As Peter Kibry notes, the signs are positive. With more disciplined hiring, clearer business strategies and continued demand for specialist skills, the outlook for Ireland’s tech sector, particularly heading into 2026, is increasingly optimistic.