275 jobs to go in telecoms sector

The ESAT telecommunications firm has announced plans to lay off 200 of its 1,300 workers in Ireland as part of a restructuring plan.

Under the plan, the British-owned company will merge its ESAT Business and ESAT Fusion divisions into a single entity.

The company blamed the current conditions in the Irish market and the slow speed of deregulation in the telecoms sector for the lay-offs.

Meanwhile, French telecommunications firm Alcatel has also announced plans to lay off 75 workers at its plant in Bandon, Co Cork, due to weak market conditions.

Just last month, the same company shed 15 jobs in Shannon, Co Clare.