Engineering company hopes to avoid further job cuts

Grant Engineering of Birr - which laid off 30 seasonal workers this week - said it hopes to be able to avoid any further job cuts.

The midlands company is the largest producer of oil-fired boilers in Ireland and the UK, with a total workforce of almost 300 in this country and Britain.

Managing director Stephen Grant said the company has enjoyed steady growth with its energy-saving products and is optimistic for the future.