Most 'Tech Firms' Hiring Staff This Year

Two-thirds of technology firms in Ireland are seeking to hire new staff during the remainder of 2011, according to a new study by Mazars R&D Tax Group. However companies may not be fully utilising R&D tax credit incentives that may be used to hire additional key employees.

'The Mazars R&D Tax Group Job Creation Survey 2011' assessed attitudes in Ireland's technology companies to employment levels, educational background of potential employees and commercial awareness of R&D tax credit incentives. The results concluded that:

• 66% of firms are seeking to hire additional staff in 2011
• 77% of companies intend to take on more employees in 2012
• College qualifications have never been more important in the sector with 41% of companies who are hiring additional staff looking for employees with postgraduate qualifications
• 55% of Irish technology firms would hire more staff if R&D tax credit incentives could be used to finance the cost of taking on new employees
• 42% of technology companies are not aware that R&D tax credit incentives can assist in hiring key new staff

Speaking at the Mazars/Irish Software Innovation Network R&D Tax Credit Conference, Mark Byrne, Head of R&D Tax Group in Mazars, said that these results confirm that the outlook is exceptionally positive for the Irish technology sector and that continued directed investment in education and the knowledge economy remains vital.

He said: "There is no doubt that this is good news for Irish technology firms, for graduates and for the economy at large. Ireland Inc is clearly open for business in this sector and this is a good news story that should provide a welcome uplift in economic sentiment in general.

"This confirms that continued investment in higher education and the knowledge economy is essential. Our survey, in a straight forward manner, confirms that the reward for greater and focused investment in education is greater employability."

(BMcN/BMcC)