Irish factories and manufacturing jobs hit by 'sudden, severe downturn' from Covid-19 fallout

File photo

The output of Irish factories and manufacturing employment slid at their fastest rates since the banking and property crash 11 years ago and will likely fall again, as the effects of the lockdowns across many countries weigh further on orders, according to a major survey.

The monthly AIB Purchasing Managers’ Index showed that there was “a sudden, severe downturn” in Irish manufacturing in March as the key components of the index — output, new orders, and exports — dropped at their fastest rates since early 2009.