CLOSE to 40 visually impaired workers at Blindcraft yesterday won a last-minute reprieve from redundancy after the Government agreed to provide a new strategy for the agency.

The threatened closure of a state factory which employed blind people was averted by Health Minister Michael Martin tonight.

Health Minister Micheál Martin is due to meet SIPTU officials this morning to discuss the Government's plans to close down Blindcraft, a state agency that provides jobs to blind workers.

The Government must ensure 35 visually impaired workers in the Irish Blindcraft Factory do not become victims of health service reforms, officials were warned today.