US pharmaceutical giant Merck has said that the 7,000 global job cuts announced today will not affect its Ballydine site in Co Tipperary.
The plant employs over 400 people. Last month, the company agreed with employees to make 60 voluntary redundancies.
In a statement plant Manager Tony Musiol said: 'We are fully committed to ensuring that the Ballydine operation is positioned to continue to compete for new products and remains a key site for the production of important medicines for the company.'
Merck, which employs 63,000 people worldwide, will make the global job cuts by the end of 2008. It will also close or sell five of its 31 manufacturing plants.
Company officials said the cuts represent the first phase of a global restructuring programme designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and enhance competitiveness.
The job cuts represent about 11% of the company's workforce. About half of the reductions are expected in the US, with no specifics about jobs in other countries.
Merck has been struggling since announcing the withdrawal of its anti-inflammatory drug, Vioxx, last year after studies linked the treatment to heart problems.
The drug was taken by more than 20 million people worldwide before its abrupt withdrawal in September last year.
