Keep Intel job cuts in perspective - Martin
The Government tonight sought to downplay 200 job losses at computer chip giant Intel.
The US multinational, which employs 5,200 staff in Ireland, is to seek the redundancies at its Leixlip, Co Kildare plant by the end of the year.
The voluntary cuts will be made in manufacturing facilities and support services.
Reacting to the announcement, Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin cautioned that the losses amounted to only 4% of Intel’s total workforce in the country.
“We have to keep things in perspective. We’re looking at 200 redundancies in the context of about 5,000 positions.
“Intel is a company of signature stature and a world leader in its field. There will always be swings and roundabouts, winners and losers.
“The fact that job creation is continuing to win gives us hope and confidence for the future.”
The IDA said it was satisfied the redundancies were the result of internal staff restructuring at Intel and did not represent a threat to the viability of the firm.
“The IDA doesn’t see the job cuts as a concern in the long term context,” said a spokeswoman.
Local Labour Party TD Emmet Stagg said Intel was a valuable source of employment for people in the Co Kildare area.
“I sincerely hope that there will be no further job losses because there have been other recent redundancies in the hi-tech sector.
“The Government appears to have become complacent with no attempts being made to identify jobs at risk or to intervene to try to save them. It needs to address this problem as a matter of urgency.”
