‘Ripple effect will go down the line and hit us all’

ONE woman married to a Dell worker who is to lose her job told her local GP yesterday she will have to reconsider plans to have another child.

This was one of the many human stories which began to emerge in the wake of the jobs wreckage at the huge computer plant in the Raheen industrial estate.

The impact will reach into every corner of every neighbourhood in the city and its environs.

Local family doctor Eimear O’Connor, who is married with two young children, treats a lot of Dell workers and their families at a medical centre in Dooradoyle.

She said: “Yesterday, as normal, I had some Dell family members in and they were all very concerned at the job losses. In particular they were concerned at losing the benefit of a very good health insurance scheme which entitles them to private health cover.

“It was very obvious they were upset and devastated at the news.

“One woman I have known for some years even remarked to me that she and her husband would now have to reconsider whether they would have any more children. This is the real life impact on families this situation is causing.”

Suburban Dooradoyle reaps a handsome amount of Dell spending.

Many auctioneers have kept business ticking over during the continuing property slump, through the house rental market.

MJ Claffey of GL Auctioneers, based in O’Connell Street, said: “We have a sizeable rental business and much of it is with people working at Dell and this is definitely going to affect things. As well as Irish workers there are also many non-national workers renting houses mainly in the Raheen areas.

“Three-bed houses earn rental income of between €800 and €900 a month, and because of Dell the market has always been strong. The rental market has helped fill the gap during the property downturn and we would be concerned that the job losses will now bring a squeeze on business.”

Dooradoyle publican Brian Greene, whose family own the Unicorn bar and restaurant, was consoling one customer who will lose his job at Dell in April.

Mr Greene said: “He’s one of our many Dell regulars and he came in after finishing his shift. His line on the factory floor will be one of the first to go.

“Dell gives us a lot of business and we had a Dell Christmas party. However, the Dell loss will hit heavy-spend businesses such as car sales and holidays more so than our trade. Having said that, there will be a ripple effect which will go down the line and hit us all, with people having less money to spend.”

Down the street, barber Damian McClay was busy in Barberellos.

“We get quite a few Dell workers in and it will affect business and the entire Dooradoyle and Limerick area.

“While we won’t feel the effect for another few months, every business will be hit,” he said.