Computer manufacturer Dell has confirmed that it is cutting 250 jobs at its Irish operations. It has an Irish workforce of 4,500.
The company said the majority of these compulsory redundancies will occur at the company's sales, marketing and support operations in Cherrywood in south Dublin. The rest will be in Limerick.
The development comes after the company announced it was cutting its workforce by 10% worldwide earlier this month.
The reduction in staff numbers is as a result of the slowing US economy, which is hitting demand for new computers.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Dell said it regrets the impact the move will have on its employees, but it is confident that the changes will position Dell strongly for continued future growth.
It said it is proud of its record of growth in Ireland but recognises that maintaining its success requires the company to look criticially at its operations.
A spokesperson for Dell confirmed that a 30 day consultation period will begin immediately with staff being made redundant.
The first layoffs will begin around the start of July and continue until January 2009.
