FEARS ARE growing over the future of 82 jobs in Belmullet, Co Mayo. ICT Eurotel Ltd has announced it is to enter into a period of consultation with its employees about the future of the company.
The call-centre company currently employs 39 full-time and 43 part-time staff.
A letter to employees states: “We are proposing to close this facility effective 1st October 2009.”
ICT Eurotel Ltd provides quality assurance services for companies within the ICT group.
The company has received €1.8 million in support from Údarás na Gaeltachta since it set up in June 2002.
A spokesperson for Údarás said: “To date the company has paid over €10 million in wages and €1.5 million to the exchequer in taxes and PRSI.
“In terms of value to the taxpayer, it [the Údarás investment] has been returned many times over.”
The spokesperson added that Údarás would not be seeking any rebate from the company.
Cllr Gerry Coyle (Fine Gael) said the news would be a shock to any region but it was a major blow to to the Erris area.
Cllr Rose Conway-Walsh (Sinn Féin) has called on statutory bodies to be available to assist with the individual needs of each employee.
“This is a crisis situation in Erris,” she said.
The company issued a statement: “Regretfully, ICT Group has entered into a period of consultation with employees regarding the future of its Belmullet quality verification centre.
“This action has become necessary, in response to increased pressure to reduce costs and streamline efficiency, the continued shift in ICT Group’s business to focus primarily on inbound customer care services and the increased utilisation of automated technologies.
“This was not an easy decision to make and this proposal is not based on the performance of the Belmullet centre or the consistent, quality support employees have delivered from this centre on behalf of our clients.
“ICT Group is committed to working through this proposal carefully and sensitively and, whatever the final outcome post-consultation, we would like to thank the Belmullet staff for their dedication and support over the years.”