150 Ebay job losses 'can be avoided', says FF's Breathnach
A Fianna Fáil TD has claimed the loss of eBay from Dundalk can be averted.
The company says it has been served notice to leave its rented facility in the Co Louth town, and will close its Co Louth base in the second quarter of next year.
It means the loss of 150 jobs. Ebay said a formal consultation with employees would begin shortly.
Ebay's Blanchardstown facility in Dublin will not be affected.
The company said PayPal, the online payments firm with which it shares the building and which took control of it after both firms split last year, has asked it to leave.
“We can confirm that PayPal has served us notice as tenants of its Dundalk facility. We will begin a formal consultation process with our colleagues in Dundalk and will share any further information with them as a matter of priority,” said an eBay spokesman.
EBay bought PayPal in 2002 but the partners were split into two separate companies in July last year. PayPal took over as landlords of the Dundalk facility and eBay became tenants. It is understood PayPal is planning to expand its business next year at the Louth operation and wanted the extra space.
Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor said she was hopeful that many of the employees would find alternative work soon, potentially in the expanding PayPal operation.
"The employees will be highly attractive to other companies," she said, adding she had asked agencies including the IDA to work with the workers to ensure those losing their jobs were assisted in finding others.
Declan Breathnach, Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, said the loss could still be stopped.
"No stone should be left unturned," he said. "The loss of eBay can be averted if there is a will to do so."
