Networking equipment maker 3Com, which employs more than 1,000 people in Dublin, has said it will make further "substantive" job cuts before the end of May.

The firm, which has already cut 25 people at its plant in Blanchardstown, yesterday reported a wider loss and lower fourth-quarter revenues compared with the third period.

A spokesman for 3Com in the Republic said it did not expect to make further cuts at its Irish operations.

3Com forecast a fourth-quarter pro-forma operating loss of between $215 million and $235 million.

3Com has already cut 1,200 jobs worldwide under a previously announced cost-cutting effort, leaving total head count at about 8,400. Meanwhile, in a further sign of sectoral weakness, Oracle Corporation has announced it will reduce its workforce by 2 per cent or 900 jobs.

Oracle, based in Redwood Shores, California, had 43,300 employees as of Februray 28th. The company employs more than 800 people in Dublin and had announced it would increase employment here above the 1,000 mark.