A medical devices company in Co Galway has laid off 50 temporary workers.
Medtronic employs a total workforce of over 2,000 at its plant in Parkmore, on the outskirts of the city.
A company spokesperson said the workers had been hired on a week-by-week contract basis for a specific project which had now been completed.
She said taking on agency staff to work on particular projects was a normal industry practice.
Medtronic is the world's leading medical technology company.
Its plant in Galway has been operating since 1999 and is a main Research & Development centre for the development of cardiovascular products.
