Staff at US computer storage firm EMC were told the company is seeking 160 voluntary redundancies at its manufacturing and services plant in Ovens, Co Cork.
The firm, which employs about 1,600 people in Cork, warned last year it was shedding up to 10 per cent of its worldwide workforce of 23,000 due the global slowdown in demand for technology products.
Commenting on the news of the layoffs, the Taánaiste and Minister for Trade Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, said: "While this is a major disappointment for the company and its workforce, the news is obviously a response to the downturn that has been experienced globally in the IT sector".
Since it came to Cork in 1988, EMC has invested over $400 million in its Irish operation.