Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú, has said the announcement by online payments giant PayPal that up to 205 redundancies are to be sought is “disastrous news for workers and their families, particularly at the start of the new year”.

The Dundalk TD said: 

“I have been speaking to a company representative this afternoon and was advised that around 9% of the Ireland-based workforce will be affected. 

“It is expected that the 30-day consultation period will start around February 7, with the redundancies, all of which are compulsory, to be completed by March 25, with the dates subject to change.

“It is understood that the cuts will affect PayPal teams right across the company’s Ireland operations with the redundancies being split equally between the former Dundalk site workers and those in Dublin.

“The redundancy announcement came 48 hours after it was revealed that PayPal, headquartered in the United States, was to cut their global workforce by 9%, affecting around 2500 people worldwide.

“The company has advised me of their long-term commitment to Ireland and said that it remains their largest centre in Europe, with a 1600-strong workforce still employed after the redundancies.

“Yesterday I spoke with Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney in Leinster House and raised the possibility of the redundancies in the Dáil.

“But I am dismayed by confirmation of the news, which comes on the back of job losses last year.

“It is disastrous news for the workers and their families, particularly at the start of the new year. It is imperative that PayPal fully consults with their staff in a meaningful way and puts in place the help and supports that it has promised for those who are affected.

“All the arms of the State should be used to support those who are losing their jobs to find alternative employment and be assisted through this very difficult time.

“The government must ensure that there is a ‘skills audit’ carried out on those who are being made redundant to ensure that their transition into other suitable employment is as seamless as possible.

“This is not the first time that these loyal and hard-working employees have faced the uncertainty of a round of job losses and PayPal has to ensure that they are treated fairly and compassionately through this process.”