130 people have lost their jobs in the midlands following announcements by Banagher Concrete and Morrison Utility Services.
50 jobs have been cut at Banagher Concrete Company in County Offaly.
While Morrison Utilities - a telecommunications contractor which works for Eircom with sites in Portlaoise, Cork and Dublin - is to cut 80 jobs.
A further 60 jobs are under threat at An Post in Portlaoise after the company lost a contract with a UK catalogue retailer.
Steve Fitzpatrick, General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union of Ireland, described the loss of the contract as 'a major blow to the company and the local economy in Portlaoise'.
He said the union was in discussions with An Post and would be 'seeking a voluntary exit plan for those affected'.
