German drugs giant Bayer increased its projected global job cull to 4,000 yesterday, but a spokesman said its 290 Irish employees were likely to escape the worst effects. Bayer employs 240 people in diagnostics manufacturing and 50 in general sales and administration in Swords, Co Dublin.

The firm planned global cuts of 1,800 in its polymers division on Thursday, but yesterday's announcement could affect all divisions. The Dublin plant is not an obvious target for closure, a spokesman said.

"It's too early to say whether it will or will not happen but, at this stage, Dublin hasn't been mentioned," he said. It is certain the Irish plant will not be affected by the first wave of cuts, he added.

Bayer employs more than 120,000 people over 15 different business groups around the world and has set a savings target of &€8364;1.5 billion (£1.2 billion) by 2005.