The Apple Computer plant in Cork is to become the company's only printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing operation, following the closure of its Singapore operation. But while the move does fireproof Cork workers from the loss making firm's restructuring plans, it will not mean extra jobs as the additional work will be outsourced in the Far East.

"We have decided that, within Apple, we would have one centre of excellence for PCB activity. That centre will be located in Cork," a spokesman for the company said last night.

The Singapore closure, which sees the loss of 250 jobs, is part of a wideranging restructuring undertaken by Apple, which has its headquarters in California, to reverse a severe downswing in its fortunes. The company, once one of the world's most profitable computermakers, has suffered losses of $1.6 billion (£1 billion) over the past 18 months.

"We've been looking at the best possible manufacturing solution for Apple and we have decided to refocus on systems assembly with appropriate investments in information technology and logistics," said Mr James McCluney, the company's vice president of worldwide operations.