1,400 jobs to go after Intel scales down expansion plan

The Intel computer company has scaled down a £1.7bn extension programme at its Dublin plant.

It is expected to mean a drop in the number of workers on the Intel construction site from around 1,500 to a maximum of 100 by the end of the month.

The move is a cost-saving exercise prompted by the current downturn in the international technology sector.

The facility, known as Fab 24, had initially been due for completion by the end of the year.

It would have led to the creation of 1,000 new high-tech posts, but the target date has now been pushed back to 2003.

Intel last week warned of lower profits and 5,000 job cuts worldwide.

It said the company was still committed to Fab 24, but it was now being spread over a longer period.

He added: "It's disappointing to have to re-deploy construction people at this time. However, we expect to be able to welcome them back to our Leixlip site in 2002."

The Irish Construction Industry Federation said efforts would be made to re-assign the building workers involved to other projects.