Unions have called for Government support to ensure as many jobs as possible at Pfizer are saved.
The pharmaceutical multi-national announced yesterday that 275 jobs are to be cut at its Newbridge facility in Co Kildare.
A further 510 jobs are under threat at the company's facility in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and two sites in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
Yesterday, Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe said he had called in the State's enterprise agencies to plan for retraining and re-employment for the workers affected.
'I have asked IDA Ireland to begin the search for other major players in the life science sector to take over the facilities in Loughbeg and Shanbally in Cork and Dún Laoghaire,' Minister O'keeffe said.
'IDA Ireland has a strong track record in sourcing same-sector replacement industries for vacated facilities and I will be urging the agency to prioritise its endeavours in the cases of the plants in Cork and Dublin.'
