Dundalk TD seeks assurances from PayPal following job cuts announcement

PayPal need to provide workers connected to their Irish operations with assurance that the latest round of job cuts will be the last, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.

The Dundalk TD was reacting to this morning’s announcement that up to 85 redundancies are being sought by the payments giant, which comes on top of job cuts in February.

Deputy Ó Murchú said he had been speaking to the company this afternoon and was advised that there will be a 30-day consultation period with affected workers, with no redundancies taking effect before July 26, and the process being completed by August 9.

The Louth TD said he understood that up to 85 positions would be affected, across a number of departments, and is part of a worldwide look at PayPal’s operations. Around half the jobs affected relate to workers connected with the Dundalk operation, while the other half is at the company’s Dublin site. He said he hoped it would be less than 85 and hoped the company would work to ensure it was "as low as possible".

Deputy Ó Murchú said that PayPal had told him it was part of a process by new leadership in the firm to make it more "efficient and productive" and while the company had reassured him that they remain committed to Ireland, stating it is a "critical hub for its operations", he said "workers are very worried".

Deputy Ó Murchú said: "People are very worried about what is happening, with significant redundancies being announced today, just four months after another announcement which saw other people losing their jobs.

"This is a terrible blow for the affected workers and their families and I would hope that all arms of the State are used to assist them in finding new employment and carrying out a skills audit for those who are facing redundancy.

"There needs to be engagement at a governmental level about what is happening in PayPal and the company itself needs to reassure the remaining workforce of its commitment to them."