A round-up of today's other business news in brief

Strong interest in redundancies - Intel

A spokesman for computer chip-maker Intel said there had been a “greater than expected” level of interest in voluntary redundancy from employees at its Leixlip plant, but refused to confirm how many people would be leaving.

Staff at the company’s manufacturing operation in Leixlip, Co Kildare, were informed in February that the firm was seeking 200 to 300 voluntary redundancies.

Management met employees who had applied to take voluntary redundancy yesterday to inform them whether their applications had been successful.

Intel, which controls 80 per cent of the microprocessor market, has struggled during the economic downturn. It estimates it will end 2009 with about 78,000 employees, down about 25 per cent from a peak of 103,000 in 2006.

While it is seeking to reduce its workforce in Leixlip, the firm has announced that up to 130 jobs may be created as part of plans to expand its research centre in the Shannon free zone, Co Clare.

Intel said the investment could create 134 jobs over the next four years.

Nationwide reports 50% drop in profits

British lender Nationwide Building Society has reported a 50 per cent drop in full-year profits and warned on its outlook as impairments rise and competition for retail funds increases.

Britain’s largest building society reported an underlying pretax profit of £393 million (€453 million) in the year ended April 4th, compared to £781 million in the same period last year.

BoS(I) director to leave in July

Bank of Scotland (Ireland) has announced that chief operating officer and executive director Richard McDonnell is to leave the bank at the end of July.

Mr McDonnell has been with the bank for over 16 years, having started his career with Anglo Irish Bank.

He has held a number of key roles at BoS(I), including head of group services.

Mr McDonnell was appointed COO of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) last February.

The chief executive of the bank Joe Higgins yesterday thanked Mr McDonnell for his years of service and for the level of dedication and commitment he had shown during his time with the bank.