Almost 75 percent of employers surveyed intend to take on staff in the next 12 months, slightly less than the figure of 76.5 percent recorded in the first survey, in September.

Of those polled in the latest survey who intend to hire, 48.68 percent intend to do so in the next 12 months, 13.5 percent in the next six months and 11.41 percent in the next 12 months.

Just over half plan to hire 1-2 staff, with a third intending to hire 3-5 and 10 percent planning to take on 6-10.

Key skill sets that remain in demand include business analysts, software developers and project managers.

The survey polled employers on their feelings about the government's ultra-fast broadband project and found that 63 percent believe the UFB rollout will increase employment in the sector by 1-4 percent; others thought the expansion in hiring prompted by the fibre build will be greater.