UP TO 150 jobs could be lost in Offaly and Westmeath because of an ESB decision to cut back on generation at two power stations.
The ESB is to shut generating units at two peat-fired stations, Ferbane and Rhode, which have been operating for four decades.
A voluntary redundancy package has been agreed in Ferbane, resulting in the loss of about 60 jobs, but another 52 will be saved by the refurbishment of a 40-megawatt unit at the plant.
Local politicians have criticised the decision to decommission two units at Rhode, which employs about 100 people from north Offaly and south Westmeath. Senator Pat Gallagher (Labour) said the ESB should have taken the opportunity to refurbish the Rhode plant when it was shut temporarily following a fire last year.
He said the decision to close the Rhode generating units was "a kick in the teeth" for workers who had entered into a participation council with management. Rhode ESB staff had no option of alternative employment in the area, he said.
The ESB said peat-fired power stations normally had a life of 25 years, and Ferbane had been open since 1957 and Rhode since 1960. Negotiations were taking place with workers in Rhode, the ESB added.