Ireland’s economy is set to continue growing this year – but employment growth is likely to slow down.

Although the number of vacancies in the country is growing, recruiters may find times tough because of a shortage of available candidates.

In 2003 employers notified FAS, the state-run job agency, of 107,500 vacancies, an increase in number from the year before.

Immigration from outside the European Union is also contributing to the growth of the labour force and the Irish government issued 48,000 work permits last year.

But the number of people on the Live Register – the equivalent of the dole in the UK – decreased again in February.

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