Job losses rise as 90 to go at software firm

The number of job losses announced in the first half of July exceeded 1,500 yesterday when a software services company revealed that it intended to quit the Republic, making 90 staff redundant.

Software Spectrum said it would be axing 90 jobs when it closes its teleservices centre on Merrion Road, Dublin. A statement said that in an effort to "maximise operating efficiency" the operation would be closed and transferred to a facility in Munich, Germany.

The company's decision brings the number of job losses announced in July to more than 1,500. It comes just days after Tayto revealed that it intended to close its factory in Terenure, Dublin and reduce its workforce at nearby Coolock, with the loss of 179 jobs.

Earlier this month, Navan Carpets in Co Meath announced its intention to close with the loss of 200 jobs.

A Software Spectrum spokeswoman said certain employees would be offered the opportunity to relocate to Munich, but could not give exact figures.

The switch from Dublin to the German city would take until the end of the year. The spokeswoman said that lay-offs would begin comparatively quickly.

Software Spectrum set up in Dublin in 1993. The group sells and services business software packages.

The Merrion Road office handled customer support, over-the- phone sales and back-office operations such as purchasing and accounts.

It was one of a wave of such operations that set up shop here during the 1990s with IDA support. It employed people with a mix of technical and administrative skills.

Software Spectrum is a Texas-based global operation. It sells and services business software. Its ultimate parent is Nasdaq-listed broadband and communication player, Level Three, which is based in Broomfield, Colorado.

Level Three had a net income of $119 million (€105 million) on the back of $1.25 billion in sales in the three months to the end of March. It is due to report its second-quarter and half-year results in the last week of July.