A TOTAL of 68 jobs have been lost in Tipperary with the announcement of job cuts from two established companies.

In Templemore, Taylor Made glazing has laid off 24 members of staff, while in Ardfinnan, Moy Isover announced 44 job cuts and revealed it will cease production of glass wool insulation products on October 31st due to the construction downturn.

Taylor Made Glass and Systems has laid off approximately a fifth of its workforce, with the downturn in global markets and rising energy bills believed to be behind the decision. Most of those laid off have been with the firm for two years or more.

Taylor Made is the world's largest manufacturer of marine glazing systems, involved in the design of boat windshields, windows, doors, hatches, power roof systems and port lights.