Computer firm axes jobs

Computer giant Hewlett Packard announced tonight it is to axe 133 jobs in Ireland.

The multinational company said the cuts will be made over the next two years, but did not state where the jobs will be lost.

Last month it announced plans to cut almost 25,000 jobs across its global operation after it bought out business services outsourcing giant EDS.

It is understood the 133 Irish job losses will be made across the two operations.

“Over the coming days, there will be meetings with both HP and EDS employee forums to share information on the proposed integration plan for Ireland,” said a spokesman.

“HP expects that the number of positions impacted in Ireland over the two year timeframe will be 133.

“HP will make every effort where possible to redeploy impacted individuals.”

It was announced last week almost 9,500 redundancies would be made in Europe over the next three years as part of the company’s $1.8bn (€1.3bn) restructuring programme.

HP employs 4,000 people in Ireland, with staff in Leixlip, Dublin, Galway and Belfast, while EDS has 400 Irish employees.

The firm purchased EDS last month as part of a 10 billion deal in an effort to compete against its rival IBM.

“HP expects the workforce management exercise in Europe, Middle East and Africa to affect approximately 9,300 employees over a two year period, with roughly half of these positions replaced to create a global workforce that has the right blend of services and delivery capabilities to address the diversity of its EMEA markets and customers,” continued the spokesperson.

The company established its Irish operation in 1975 and employs staff in a range of functions including software development, engineering, inkjet cartridge manufacture, sales and marketing, customer support, international finance and managed services.