78% of Irish businesses reporting skills shortages, survey reveals

More than three quarters of businesses are experiencing skills shortages, despite Ireland’s labour force being named the most adaptable and flexible in the world earlier this year.

According to the PriceWaterHouseCoopers’ (PWC) HR directors survey, 78% of Irish firms are experiencing skills shortages in areas such as IT, yet only 10% identify addressing these shortages as a priority in the next 18 months.

Income tax levels as well as the cost of living are major factors preventing the recruitment of senior leadership and specialist skills, according to the report.