Government’s hi-tech hopes falter as Freescale axes 50 jobs

THE country’s hi-tech sector was dealt another major jobs blow yesterday with the loss of almost 50 top-end IT posts.

Almost 50 well-paid, highly qualified IT design workers are set to lose their jobs after global US-based Freescale Semiconductors announced it is entering into a consultation period with staff at its only Irish operation — a design centre based at the Cork Airport business park. The firm is likely to close by September.

All the workers are college graduates and about 10% have PhDs. More than half have a masters degree.