High-end IT roles within financial services in Ireland are holding up in the face of deteriorating economic conditions – if only there were enough talent available.

Ireland seems to be the beneficiary of Citigroup’s new centralised IT function, and the bank has just announced the creation of 30 new high-end technology positions in its research and development centre in Dublin’s financial services quarter.

This follows on from the 145 roles in Belfast announced earlier this month.

The positions are for project managers, business analysts and software and hardware engineers. Citi’s not the only one recruiting, however, and this sector has remained a bright spot within Irish financial services.

Aileen Hallahan, managing consultant for IT at recruiters Hudson in Dublin, says: “There’s been a slowdown in financial services generally but the demand for business analysts and project managers has remained robust. Sector experience is integral, which means the right candidates can be hard to find.”

She adds that the majority of project manager and business analyst roles are filled by the local market or by UK candidates. Meanwhile, software architects more often than not come from abroad – locations such as Spain, France, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Orla Donagher, IT consultant at recruiters Brightwater, says: “There’s been a slight downturn, but there are still plenty of opportunities available. The problem is that in the uncertain economic climate, candidates are more and more reluctant to move.”

Hallahan says a project manager can earn €55k-€80k, dependent on experience and sector – banking pays more than insurance, for instance. A business analyst will start on €45k, but this can rise to €65k after three years.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the Citigroup jobs showed that Ireland can provide a platform for “sophisticated and high level activities”.

The bank employs 2,200 people in Ireland and the main business here generated €375m in pre-tax profits in 2007.