Number of professional jobs available 'up almost 50% last month'

It also shows life sciences and pharmaceuticals were particularly dynamic, with graduates in these areas also in high demand.

Morgan McKinley chief operations officer Karen O’Flaherty said that steady increases can be expected in 2015.

"I think it's going to be steady," she said. "We still have skills shortages across a number of those areas.

"Overall, the sentiment seems to be more confident for the first time across all sectors, with the SME sector coming back, [which] would bode well.

"There's still going to be skills shortages and a need by employers to identify more creative means in identifying, attracting and retaining the talent."

A separate report has stated that the number of job vacancies online rose by 7% in 2014.

The latest market sentiment survey from IrishJobs.ie has found that 50% of people believe the jobs market will further improve.

Seven in 10 say they intend asking for a raise in 2015, while 93% would retrain for a new job.

The sectors which saw the greatest improvement in October to December included: Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, Technology, and Production and Manufacturing.

Safann MacCarthy, Marketing Director, IrishJobs.ie said: "We are seeing a sustained increase in total jobs across management, executive, contract roles advertised across construction, manufacturing, and many services related industries.

"Alongside the rise in total jobs advertised, there is a boost in jobs market sentiment with people expecting things to further improve.

"Approximately seven in 10 plan to ask for a raise, in sync with recent IBEC reports projecting salary increases of on average 2% from an employer point of view.

"Almost half of those surveyed who are currently employed would move job for more money.”