AI job disruption has come for Ireland’s technology sector

Ireland's technology sector is shedding jobs as artificial intelligence reshapes the labor market, with Meta cutting 20% of its Irish workforce and outsourcing firm Covalen eliminating around 700 positions. The cuts come as a government analysis found employment in information and communications technology among workers under 30 dropped nearly one-third between 2023 and 2025, with overall sector jobs falling almost 11% year-on-year in early 2026. Bloomberg Economics estimates 30% of Irish workers face meaningful disruption from AI, above the 27% average for advanced economies, posing particular risks for an economy where over 6% of the workforce depends on the tech sector and overseas multinational investment.