The Abbey Theatre said today it is to cut its staff by 30 per cent in a drive to reduce costs at Ireland's national theatre.
The proposals were put at an emergency meeting this morning amid growing concern over the financial stability of the theatre.
Ninety-one people are employed at the Abbey, and management is seeking to cut this number by about 30 through the reduction in number of those on contract and by offering voluntary redundancy to permanent staff.
It is understood the cuts will apply across the board.
The financial shortfall at the Abbey is understood to be as much as €800,000 and management at the theatre is to introduce a restructuring programme in an attempt to stabilise the financial situation.
Unions immediately called for a meeting with management.
Siptu branch secretary Mr Jimmy Jordan said: "We were aware that the Abbey was experiencing some financial difficulties but the scale of the job losses proposed - along with the terms of a voluntary exit package - came as quite a shock.
"We have arranged a meeting with the managing director of the Abbey Theatre tomorrow morning to discuss the proposed job losses and to explore alternative measures to enable the theatre to deal with its financial difficulties.
"We will then report to our members on Monday."
The restructuring comes ahead of a promised Government announcement this year on whether the Abbey will be moved from its current site at Abbey Street, Dublin.
The former Carlton cinema site in O'Connell Street has been mooted as a possible alternative location, but its development has been delayed by legal wrangling over a compulsory purchase order by Dublin City Council.
Additional reporting: PA
