New figures have suggested there has been a dramatic rise in demand for coffee from Irish consumers.

The statistics, released by job site Indeed, show there has been a big increase in the demand for baristas.

Vacancies for roles are up 79% in the past three years, and up 25% in the past year.

The surge in barista roles is consistent with survey figures, which indicate that one-third of Irish consumers buy a coffee outside of the home at least once per day.

The 2017 survey found that Dubliners consume the most coffee - with 40% drinking coffee out of home at least once a day - followed closely by those in the South West (Cork and Kerry) with 38%.

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Counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow - along with Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath - also came in the top four for their out of home coffee consumption at joint 30%.

The Americano has surged in popularity, with 250,000 more consumers choosing to regularly drink it out of home as against 2015.

But the most popular coffees are Cappuccino (55%), Americano (42%) and Latte (41%).

Women are also more brand loyal than men (31% vs. 23%).

Indeed research also showed that Ireland's restaurant sector was hungry for new staff, with postings of vacancies for chefs up 71% in the past three years.

But it added: "The enthusiastic embrace of café culture among Irish consumers also comes with a note of caution in 2019 - this year could be a tougher year for the café and restaurant trade with the increase in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to 13.5% kicking in from the 1st January 2019.

"Increases in the prices of commuters' morning flat whites and lunchtime sandwiches have already been registered".