Microchip giant Intel tonight confirmed it is seeking up to 200 voluntary redundancies at its Leixlip manufacturing plant in Co Kildare where it employs 3,400 people.
A spokesman for the company told ireland.comthe redundancies would be voluntary and that they were not looking for a specific number of staff cuts.
He said the package was attractive and even the most recent employees would receive 4 months pay with longer serving staff receiving up to 1 year's pay and benefits.
The spokesman also stressed that after 6 months staff who opted for voluntary redundancy could reapply for vacant positions within the company.
Earlier this week, the company announced second quarter earnings which were 76 per cent lower than the same period last year.
Intel said a number of other cost-cutting possibilities were under consideration including shutting the plant for a fortnight. However, the spokesman said the action announced tonight was "appropriate to the current situation".
Intel stalled the $2 billion investment of a new facility in 2000, although the plant expects to resume construction next year.
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