Economic crisis - Saving jobs has to be our priority

THE welcome news that a reduction in oil prices and cheaper mortgages cut inflation to its lowest rate in almost 11 years last month is inevitably overshadowed by worrying news that nearly 2,000 more jobs may be lost in Munster in the coming days or weeks.

It was further overshadowed by deteriorating news last night concerning 1,200 jobs at the Dell call centre in Cherrywood, Dublin.

The Dell closure in Limerick is sending waves through the local economy and, just days after Dell axed 1,900 jobs, 400 workers at the nearby RR Donnelly plant — formerly Banta Global Turnkey — are expected to lose their jobs too. SIPTU confirmed yesterday that workers had been informed by management of the company’s impending closure. The operation is entirely dependent on business from Dell.