Contracting Plus

Ireland's Project Economy

The most comprehensive and independently verified research providing valuable insights into the Professional Contracting Sector in Ireland. The annual survey of Ireland’s independent workforce is led by Professor Andrew Burke and his team at The Trinity Business School and commissioned by Contracting PLUS.

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A must-read for Ireland’s highly skilled Professional Contractors, Business Consultants, Freelancers and the Solo Self-Employed.

Ireland’s Project Economy 2026 Survey Out Now! 

Take this years survey for a chance to win a €1,000 Me2You Christmas Shopping Spree. 

Ireland’s Project Economy 2026 independent survey from Trinity College Dublin is now underway. It is the only research of its kind focused solely on the professional contracting, freelancer and self-employed sector in Ireland, and is carried out independently by Trinity College Dublin.

The research is unique, providing an annual industry overview and highlighting the valuable contribution of Independent work to the economy in Ireland.

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Ireland’s Project Economy 2025

Welcome to Ireland’s Project Economy 2025, this longitudinal study is now in its fifth year. The report profiles Irish high-skilled independent professionals, also known as professional contractors, freelancers and solo-self employed workers.

Trinity College Dublin and Contracting PLUS are delighted to collaborate on this unique study. The solo self-employed are a vital yet often overlooked pillar of Ireland’s economy. They provide businesses – both indigenous and multinational – with the agility, expertise, and innovation needed to compete and grow.
Research shows that businesses leveraging freelance and contract talent not only innovate more effectively but also expand faster, create more jobs, and contribute significantly to tax revenues. This reality needs to be clearly communicated – and finally heard – by all stakeholders.

Click here to read the report online

Ireland’s Project Economy 2024

Welcome to Ireland’s Project Economy 2024, this longitudinal study is now in its fourth year. The report profiles Irish high-skilled independent professionals, also known as professional contractors, freelancers and solo-self employed workers.

Trinity College Dublin and Contracting PLUS are delighted to collaborate on this unique study, which examines the contribution this key cohort have to employment and the economy in Ireland. This is the only report of its kind completed in Ireland and for the first time, this report has been produced entirely digitally, in line with both companies strong commitment to sustainability.

Click here to read the report online

Ireland’s Project Economy 2023

Welcome to Ireland’s Project Economy 2023, the only report of its kind completed in Ireland. This research is packed with details of the extent and nature of independent professionals, the freelance and the solo self-employed sector.

Gain exclusive knowledge about daily pay rates, job satisfaction levels and learn why there is a growing demand for independent contractors and professionals in the workforce.

Click here to get your copy.

Ireland’s Project Economy 2022

This new report provides valuable insights into many elements of Ireland’s ‘Project Economy’- from feedback and opinions from Independent Contractors, the specialist recruiters who source them, and companies who engage them.

Learn about what’s driving companies to choose contractors and how the success of these talented individuals is contributing to the growth of businesses and the economy. Get insider information on daily pay rates, job satisfaction and sector expansion.

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Ireland’s Project Economy 2021

Explore the first edition of our report and discover the extent and nature of Professional Contracting in Ireland’s rapidly growing project-based labour market below.

Download your copy here.

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