Report reveals Ireland still sourcing workers from outside EU

New data shows that almost half of non-EU nationals working in Ireland are employed in high skilled occupations.

That is according to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

The report reveals that despite the recession - Ireland is actively looking for certain workers from outside of the EU - as demand for certain niche skills exceeds supply in some areas including IT, engineering, finance and healthcare

"There are definitely skills gaps that can't be met from within here," said Emma Quinn from the ESRI.

"In a small country that is to some extent inevitable

"There is clearly a need to educate the Irish population to be able to fill those skills gap and there is signs of progress in that area."