Limerick leads way as jobs growth spreads out of Dublin

JOB openings are rising at a faster rate in Limerick than in other cities, according to data from jobs website IrishJobs.ie.

The number of jobs advertised in the city was up 43pc year-on-year in the third quarter, the company said. In Dublin the corresponding figure was 9pc, with rises of 16pc in Galway and 1pc in Cork.

Overall there was a 3pc increase in jobs advertised.

“Broadly speaking, Ireland is in a strong position. While we are not seeing as steep an increase in job creation as witnessed in recent years, we remain on course for another year of steady growth, with a sustained, albeit modest, increase in the number of jobs vacancies,” said Irish Jobs general manager Orla Moran.

“Unsurprisingly, Dublin still enjoys the lion’s share of job creation and investment, but urban centres like Cork, Galway, and in particular Limerick, are proving increasingly popular as alternative locations for business growth,” she added.

Hotels and catering, banking, finance and insurance, sales, IT, and manufacturing were among the top-performing sectors.

Some 14pc of all vacancies were in the hotel and catering sector. Banking, finance and insurance accounted for 10pc and has been growing steadily, Irish Jobs said.

Ms Moran said the science and medical industries had increased their hiring by 15pc and 6pc respectively year-on-year.

“However, while the Jobs Index results are positive, a number of challenges threaten continued economic growth. Despite some counties bucking the trend, we’re seeing rural Ireland lag behind in job creation.

“In the Midlands and the South-East, unemployment rates are the highest in the country,” she added.

Monthly unemployment figures for October are due from the CSO tomorrow.