Cadbury Schweppes has said its plan to reduce its global workforce by 15 per cent will lead to no further job losses in Ireland, but said it would continue to review its operations here.

Last October the company announced plans to lay off 450 workers at its plant in Coolock, Dublin, over the next two to three years as part of a restructuring.

At the time the company said the successful implementation of its programme of redundancies, adoption of new technology and modernisation of work practices would see investment of more than €100 million in the plant.

"We are pleased that earlier this year we reached agreement on a radical change, restructuring and investment programme which, when fully implemented, is intended to significantly improve the competitiveness of the Coolock factory," said a spokeswoman for Cadbury.

"We are now under way with the implementation of this plan which will entail the loss of some 450 jobs over the next two to three years.

"As with every organisation, we will need to maintain this momentum of change, and continue to review our total business to ensure that we remain on track and are in a position to compete strongly both internally and externally."

Cadbury employs 1,100 people at Coolock, and a further 400 staff in Tallaght and Kerry.

Yesterday the firm said 7,500 jobs would go as part of a worldwide cost-reduction plan that would also see around 15 per cent of its manufacturing plants close.

The company confirmed its intention to separate the confectionery and US beverages businesses to focus on the performance of the stand-alone confectionery business. It is understood that the drinks unit, which includes 7-Up, will be sold.