Alcatel, the French communications company, has announced that it will cut 75 jobs out of its 160 workforce in Bandon, Co Cork.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Alcatel Ireland said it had entered into discussions with staff at its software development centre with a view to implementing the redundancies.
The said it would assist employees who will be affected in whatever manner possible in sourcing alternative employment.
In it statement the company said: "The company regrets this development which arises from general market conditions worldwide and forms part of a global initiative designed to realign the business, decrease operational costs and to improve flexibility and business competitiveness.
The proposed redundancies announced today involve the cessation of the HLR software development facility.
It also operates a separate telecommunications network services centre at its Bandon facility and a sales and marketing operation based in Dublin.
The plant, which was established in Ireland in 1982, provides a complete range of telecommunications and data equipment, communications software and related services in Ireland.
Alcatel reported sales of €25 billion in 2001.