Coughlan 'disappointed' by Dell decision

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has said she is deeply disappointed by Dell's decision to shed 1,900 jobs in Limerick and move its Raheen manufacturing base to Poland.

In a statement this morning, Ms Coughlan said the relevant state agencies would immediately engage with the company to provide every possible assistance to the workers being made redundant.

She also said the Government and IDA Ireland would continue to engage with Dell with a view to attracting other investments from the company.

Local Labour Party TD Jan O'Sullivan, meanwhile, says the news is a devastating blow for Limerick, which had hoped the job cuts would not be so severe.

She says there is now major worry for the future of thousands more ancillary jobs that were dependent on business from Dell.

The chief executive of the region's development agency described the announcement as a severe blow for the employees and their families.

Vincent Cummins, Shannon Development CEO, said: “Our immediate thoughts are for the employees affected and their families, and for employees in local firms that are dependent on Dell."

“Dell has been a major source of employment in Limerick and the wider region, and these job losses will have a severe impact on the economy of this region.

"Given the impact of these job losses and the importance of Dell to the regional economy, Shannon Development, as the regional development agency, will work with Dell and with IDA and other relevant agencies and bodies, to assist in every way we can in developing alternative options for Dell and for these highly productive workers”.