Over recent years, Dublin Chamber has closely monitored the evolving challenges facing our members in relation to skills shortages and labour market constraints. Our Business Outlook Surveys consistently show that labour and skills shortages remain a pressing issue for Dublin businesses.
In Q1 2021, over half of Dublin businesses (52%) reported a skills gap, with one third (32%) of these firms indicating that recruiting for a specific role had been difficult. By Q1 2022, the challenge had intensified, with 78% of firms identifying attracting, retaining, and upskilling staff as their number one business priority for the year ahead. This pattern persisted into Q1 2023, when 68% again identified skills as a top priority, with more than one quarter (27%) citing it as their greatest challenge.
More recently, in Q4 2024, almost one-in-five businesses (17%) selected skills shortages as the most detrimental factor to Dublin’s competitiveness. At the beginning of 2025, 61% of respondents cited talent acquisition and retention as a leading challenge for the year ahead, with 57% ranking attracting, retaining, and upskilling staff as their top priority. Our most recent Q3 2025 survey confirms that skills remain a central concern, with one-in-ten firms identifying skills shortages as their number one recruitment challenge.
Our Lobby
With access to talent and persistent skills shortages consistently ranking among the top challenges facing our members, skills have long been central to Dublin Chamber’s agenda. To address these concerns, Dublin Chamber engages directly with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, as well as with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, ensuring that the needs of business are clearly represented at all decision-making levels.
Most recently, we have put forward several skills-focused proposals in our Pre-Budget submission and submitted on behalf of members to several public consultations, including the Government’s current Review of the Occupations Lists for Employment Permits. Through this work, Dublin Chamber ensures that the business voice remains central to shaping Ireland’s national skills policy.
Our Work with the DRSF
In today’s tight labour market, where skills continue to dominate as a business challenge, firms increasingly recognise that workforce development is critical to growth and competitiveness. Our survey data shows that 79% of Dublin businesses plan to invest further in upskilling over the next two years. Digital skills are a top priority for 68% of members, while 66% highlight leadership and management training as essential to their future growth.
Despite this strong appetite for investment in upskilling, significant barriers remain. Almost one quarter (24%) of businesses cite insufficient funding as a key obstacle, while 14% struggle to access training that aligns with their specific needs. A further 11% note a lack of awareness of relevant programmes and supports.
The Dublin Regional Skills Forum plays a vital role in bridging this gap by connecting employers with education and training providers. The Forum helps businesses to identify skills needs, access tailored training solutions, and navigate the wide range of supports available. Dublin Chamber is proud to be a partner of the Forum and to support businesses in meeting their skills needs and building workforce resilience.
Dublin Chamber will continue to represent the interests of its members in shaping Ireland’s skills agenda. If you have insights or feedback regarding the skills ecosystem, please contact mia@dublinchamber.ie. For more on the Dublin Regional Skills Forum, see here. For more on Dublin Chamber’s Business Outlook Survey data, see here.