Only 6% of firms have vacancies

ONLY 6% of private sector firms have job openings, down from the Celtic Tiger highs of one firm in four with vacancies in 2002, the latest FÁS/ESRI Employment and Vacancies Survey reveals.

However, the FÁS/ESRI fourth quarter 2004 quarterly employment and vacancies survey in the private sector also found that despite the fall in job openings the number of firms finding it difficult to recruit workers soared from 45% to 80%.

The reports key findings are: