Demand for building workers, architects and engineers is growing, according to a leading recruitment agency, which yesterday reported seeing signs of recovery in the construction industry in the closing months of 2013.

Hays Ireland, the local branch of the multinational recruitment business, said fees from the Republic grew 30 per cent in the three months to December 31st, partly driven by a 52 per cent increase in earnings from construction.

According to managing director Richard Eardley, the company has been hiring increasing numbers of operatives and tradesmen to fit out vacant office space in Dublin.

“We are now seeing demand coming through on the professional and technical side, engineers and architects now have work on the drawing board,” he said yesterday.

Many of the new positions are temporary but Mr Eardley explained this was normal as firms were still likely to be cautious about the future.

Shortage
He even suggested there might be a shortage of professional staff towards the end of 2014, as many had left or switched to other careers, while the industry's slump had discouraged new entrants.

Hays Ireland noted all its businesses, including banking and IT, have been on an “upward curve” for some time, but with a more dramatic increase in the past six months.