The number of new professional jobs in Ireland fell slightly in May month-on-month, according to the latest Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor.

The monitor reveals in the number of new professional jobs in the Irish market was down 3% from April to May.

However, there was a 35% increase in new professional job vacancies compared to May last year.

May also saw a 43% month-on-month increase in the number of professionals looking for new job opportunities, while compared to the same point last year, there was a decline (18%).

Karen O’Flaherty, chief operations officer, Premier Group Ireland, says: “Despite a slight month-on-month dip (3%) in new Irish professional job opportunities in May, there is a sense that the hiring market is stabilising. Following a somewhat disjointed month in April due to the number of bank holidays, many companies took the opportunity to ‘close off’ roles in May, some of which had been active since the start of the year.

“May’s more ‘settled’ mood was also felt in the financial services sector. With the bank stress testing behind them, many indigenous banks began hiring again, albeit at low volumes. There is currently a strong focus on asset management, portfolio management and restructuring, so professionals with expertise in these areas and backgrounds in banking are in demand.”