Job opportuntites for professionals rose by 26 per cent in the year to the end of February, according to the latest Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor.

The monitor shows a 2 per cent decrease in the number of new jobs available in February compared to the preceding month. Overall, a total of 7,100 positions were unfilled, as against 7,250 in January.

There was also a slight month-on-month fall in the number of professional jobs seekers from January to February 2011.

Compared to February 2010, when 15,060 professionals entered the jobs market, there was a 58 per cent decrease in the number of professional seeking employment.