Talks on redundancy packages begin today for 350 workers who lost their jobs at NEC Semiconductors in Co Meath.
The Ballivor-based plant announced yesterday that it was closing in September and transferring operations to Singapore, Beijing and Malaysia.
Meath Co Council has urged the Government and state agencies to source alternative employment for the local workforce.
Siptu officials and NEC management will today begin negotiating the terms of a redundancy deal for workers.
Employment Minister Micheál Martin is sending in FÁS officials to carry out an immediate assessment of the skills of the workforce and arrange whatever retraining may be necessary to help them get employment.
Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness said Ballivor should become a pilot area for an emergency re-training program for employment blackspots.
The plant has been in the south Meath village for over 30 years and contributed €20 million to the local economy each year.
The majority of the workforce are believed to be aged around 40 and half of the employees are thought to have been with the company for around 10 years.
The plant will remain operational through to September 2006 to fulfil existing production commitments to customers.
A supplier of semiconductors for the European automotive industry, NEC said the job cuts were part of a global restructuring plan.