Tanaiste disappointed by Donegal job cuts

The Tanaiste says she is bitterly disappointed that 250 jobs are being lost in Co Donegal.

Unifi Europe has declared their redundancies are essential to restore the company to profitability.

The firm says it will no longer be involved in the yarn-twisting business, and will be reducing its polymer spinning and yarn texturing capacities.

The job losses represent almost half of the workforce.

Unifi is now entering a 30-day consultation process with unions.

Tánaiste Mary Harney commented tonight that the Department of Trade and Employment is working closely with the IDA to discuss the issue with the company.

Ms Harney says she wants everything possible to be done to protect and maintain the maximum number of jobs.

In a statement, the PD leader said she was optimistic for the future of Letterkenny, where the jobs were lost, and her key priority now was to ensure maximum support for those affected by the job losses.