Alcatel to cut 23,000 jobs worldwide

French telecommunications equipment company Alcatel has announced it's cutting 23,000 jobs worldwide.

The company employs approximately 85 people between its Cork and Dublin operations. It is not known if these jobs will be affected.

Alcatel has already undergone a major restructuring programme this year.

It says it must reduce its workforce dramatically by the end of next year, to allow it to return to profit.