Number of professional vacancies down 4% in month

The number of vacant posts for professionals fell by 4% last month compared to June, according to new data published by recruitment firm Morgan McKinley.

The firm's Irish Employment Monitor however showed an annual increase of 50% in the number of such posts being advertised in July.

The number of professionals seeking new positions in July fell by 7%, when compared to the same month in 2010.

"The latest figures show that the levels of new professional jobs in Ireland are stabilising as we progress into H2 11," said spokesperson Karen O’Flaherty.

Ms O'Flaherty said that despite still being a long way off the record job levels seen during 2007, the year-on-year increase of 50% in professional job vacancies was an "encouraging trend".

"The professional hiring market is in a much healthier position than it was in in July 10," she said.

The Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor tracks the number of new job vacancies and new candidates within the Republic of Ireland each month.