300 jobs to go in Kildare plant

Over 300 jobs are to go in Co Kildare as Schneider Electric Manufacturing in Celbridge have announced it is closing its facility by April of next year.

The plant employs 265 permanent staff and 50 temporary staff.

The company, which manufactures electrical equipment, has been in the town since 1977.

After the closure, the company is transferring its manual lines to the Czech Republic.

Schneider's two other plants - the SEI also in Celbridge, and Thomson Ireland, in Drogheda - are not affected by today’s announcement.

It comes after the confirmation of 640 job losses at 3Com at Blanchardstown in West Dublin.