Positive sentiment around the Irish financial services job market is still a relatively rare beast, so it’s reassuring to see that the number of new vacancies is heading in the right direction again and that firms are now committing to permanent hires.

According to figures from Irish recruiters Premier Group, financial services vacancies on its books have risen by 11% since December, but that’s not to suggest hiring is across the board.

Particularly active sectors include credit risk management and risk modelling roles within banking, as well as compliance and actuarial positions, suggests Andrea Clarkson, manager, financial services at Premier Group

“The main positive sign is that permanent hiring has picked up and is now on a more even keel with contract recruitment,” she says. “However, Ireland’s domestic banks are still taking a cautious approach to hiring.”

The number of new candidates looking to switch jobs in February swelled to over 15,000 across the range of professional industries covered by the survey. However, financial services professionals are still more cautious when it comes to pursuing new opportunities.

“We’re receiving tentative enquiries from candidates in banks who are considering accepting voluntary redundancy,” adds Clarkson. “We’d expect to see an increased number of people looking for work around April when these take effect.”