Demand for labour in the financial and IT sectors of the economy increased sharply in May, according to the latest Bank of Ireland jobs index.
The index shows 18,625 recruitment advertisements were placed in May, a 4 per cent increase over the same month last year.
The financial sector accounted for just over 2,091 recruitment advertisements placed, an increase of over 200 per cent and the highest recorded for this sector since the index began in March 2003.
The demand for labour in IT and technology sector also rose considerably with a 99 per cent increase in adverts.
The number of adverts placed for the retail sector grew by 7 per cent, its tenth month-on-month increase.
But demand for labour in the manufacturing sector fell by 31 per cent, a trend the bank said was "consistent with the sectors downward trend over the last number of months".
Recruitment adverts for the industry and construction sector fell by 20 per cent, its tenth consecutive month-on-month decline.
Cathal Muckian, director of Bank of Ireland’s Business Banking, said: "The upward trend evident in the job index continues to be a welcome indicator for Irish business, and the tenth month-on-month increase in retail recruitment indicates sustained consumer confidence."