Should your Dublin business hire an internal IT person or outsource to a managed service provider (MSP)? This guide compares both options to help you make the right decision for your business.
The Real Cost Comparison
In-House IT Manager Costs (Dublin)
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Salary (IT Manager) | €55,000-75,000 |
| Employer PRSI & Benefits | €8,000-12,000 |
| Training & Certifications | €3,000-5,000 |
| Tools & Software | €5,000-10,000 |
| Total | €71,000-102,000/year |
Outsourced IT Support Costs
For a 25-user business using managed IT services in Dublin:
- Monthly fee: €2,000-2,500 (€80-100/user)
- Annual cost: €24,000-30,000
Potential savings: €40,000-70,000+ per year
Advantages of Outsourced IT Support
✓ Access to a Full Team
An MSP provides access to specialists across networking, security, cloud, and helpdesk—not just one person. No single employee can match this breadth of expertise.
✓ 24/7 Coverage
Outsourced providers offer round-the-clock monitoring and support. An in-house IT person works 40 hours/week—what happens when they’re on holiday or sick?
✓ No Recruitment Hassles
Finding and retaining good IT staff in Dublin is challenging. The tech talent market is competitive, and turnover disrupts operations.
✓ Scalability
MSPs scale with your business instantly. Growing from 20 to 50 users doesn’t require hiring additional IT staff.
When In-House IT Makes Sense
Consider hiring internal IT staff if:
- You have 100+ employees requiring constant hands-on support
- You develop proprietary software requiring dedicated development support
- Regulatory requirements mandate onsite IT personnel
- You need someone managing physical infrastructure daily
The Hybrid Approach
Many Dublin businesses use a hybrid model: one internal IT coordinator handles day-to-day tasks while an MSP provides strategic support, security monitoring, and escalation for complex issues. This combines internal knowledge with external expertise.
Making the Right Choice
For most Dublin SMEs (10-100 employees), outsourced managed IT services deliver better value, broader expertise, and more reliable coverage than a single in-house hire.