46
2025
Sector Overviews
Technology
“Contracting has broadened my horizons in terms of what expertise I can improve and grow but also who I can meet to grow my network.”
Quote from Respondent
Ireland is rapidly solidifying its position as a European hub for technological innovation and enterprise.
With over 106,000 people working in ICT and over 2,200 tech start-ups employing approx. 50,000 people (CSO, Scale Ireland). The market is estimated at €20.74 billion for 2024 and is expected to reach €30.9 billion by 2029 (Mordor Intelligence). Our latest report highlights key trends shaping the ICT sector and provides understanding of the possible challenges and opportunities in 2025 for contractors in Ireland.
A promising opportunity for 2025 within ICT is cybersecurity with a 10% growth trajectory forecast by Cyber Ireland (Enterprise Ireland). Cyber Ireland indicates that the demand for cybersecurity professionals will more than double by 2030, with an additional 10,000 roles required to meet this growth.
To better understand the dynamics shaping the future, this year’s Ireland’s Project Economy findings offer valuable insights into the sector’s performance in 2025, as well as the motivations and expectations of its workforce.
ICT Contractors Are Happy With Their Career Success!
Understanding the Future of ICT
Professional ICT Contractors are optimistic – with 88% expecting the contracting market in the ICT sector to remain stable or grow over the next 3-5 years.
ICT Average Daily Rate
€632
2025 has seen a substantial increase in ICT daily rates of 22% from 2024!
ICT Gender Split
72
Men
26
Women
2
Undisclosed
Men
Women
Undisclosed
0
20
40
60
80
100
Gender Split
The gender profile in the technology sector in 2025 remains similar to that of 2024. Females account for 27% of total independent professionals so are represented proportionally in the ICT sector.
Additional Information
Age
The average age in 2025 in the ICT sector is 46 years, up from 43 years in 2024. The percentage of contractors 29 and under has dropped by 3% while the percentage of contractors 60 years and over has increased by 7% highlighting the fact that experience is still highly valued in the ICT sector.
Additional Information
Average Age
43
2024
51
2023
50
2022
48
2021
Daily Rate & Sector
The average daily rate in the ICT sector has seen a significant increase in 2025, rising to €632 from €514 in 2024, a substantial 22% increase. This growth stands out, especially considering that the average daily rate across all major contracting sectors in 2025 has decreased compared to 2024. 61% of ICT contractors now earn an average daily rate of €500 or more, compared to 48% in 2024.
Additional Information
Education
The education profile has changed in the ICT sector with 16% of contractors in 2025 reporting to have an advanced certificate or higher certificate up from 4% in 2024, this may reflect the introduction of new technologies in the sector resulting in the need to upskill in new areas. There has also been a drop in the number of contractors holding a bachelor’s degree down 14% in 2025 when compared to 2025. Perhaps suggesting that universities have not been able to pivot fast enough for emerging technologies.
Additional Information
Contract Length
The average contract length remains at 15 months. There has been a reduction in the number of shorter-term contracts (6 months and under) at 24% in 2025 as against 32% in 2024. There has also been a reported 5% increase in the number of contracts that are 13 months or more this year.
Additional Information
How ICT Contractors Feel About Their Work
93% of ICT contractors are happy with the success they have achieved in their career and 87% are satisfied with their life in general. 91% reported that they were satisfied with the flexibility of the hours, 87% were satisfied with the remote working options available to them, 86% of respondents reported being satisfied with their work life balance, and 85% are satisfied with both the rate of pay and the location of the job. ICT contractors were more satisfied across all of the of the work and life factors evaluated in 2025 than in 2024.
Additional Information
Employability
78% of ICT contractors agree that their experience is in demand, down from 90% in 2024. 38% agree that it will be easy for them to find a new contract down from 66% in 2024. These employability results are the lowest reported since 2021 and are surprising as ICT contractors express a high level of confidence in the contracting sector for 2025.
Additional Information
Future Expectations
The ICT sector continues to be an ideal environment for professional contractors. With project-based work as standard, rapidly changing business needs, and a high demand for specialised skills, companies often rely on subject matter experts to deliver projects or enhance the capabilities of their internal teams. Professional contractors in this sector are optimistic, with 88% of contractors expecting the contracting market to remain stable or grow over the next 3-5 years, and 79% anticipating the performance of the Irish economy to stay the same or improve this year.
Additional Information
Confidence Index
ICT contractors are reporting a positive outlook with a confidence index score of +31 relating to the contracting sector in the next 3-5 years. They also had a positive confidence index score of +14 for the performance of the Irish Economy in 2025.
The Irish Economy
Confidence Index
| Technology | |
| 2025 | +14 |
| 2024 | +18 |
| 2023 | +11 |
| 2022 | +43 |
| 2021 | +16 |
The Contracting Sector
Confidence Index
| Technology | |
| 2025 | +31 |
| 2024 | +29 |
| 2023 | +35 |
| 2022 | +41 |
| 2021 | +35 |