A hearing devices factory is to close in Cork with the loss of 180 jobs, it emerged tonight.
Workers at the factory, which is the only one of its kind in Ireland, were told by management today that the manufacturing and distribution operations would be transferred to China and Denmark.
Gn ReSound established its Irish factory in the Cork Business & Technology Park in Cork City in 1994.
Senior Vice President Peter Lindquist said the factory had performed excellently over the years and added that the decision to close it had been a difficult one.
"However, the corporation has to maximise the low cost base we have in China from a manufacturing perspective. All non-manufacturing activities will be incorporated into the new Global Headquarters in Denmark," he said.
The factory will begin winding down its operations before closing in April next year.
Enterprise and Employment Minister Micheal Martin, who represents the Cork South Central constituency, said he regretted the closure of the factory.
"Obviously my first thoughts are for the workforce and their families as this is devastating news for anyone who will lose their job as a result of this announcement," he said.
Mr Martin said he understand that the company would be negotiating severance arrangements with its workers over the coming weeks.
"I am pleased to note that a professional outplacement support service will be provided together with a staffed resource centre within the plant," he said.
But Green Party TD Dan Boyle, who also represents the Cork South Central constituency, said the decision was perplexing given the company's announcement of an expansion of activities 18 months ago.
"If a company on the one hand is announcing expansion plans and within 18 months announces intentions to close and relocate elsewhere this has very serious implications indeed for our industrial relations policy," he said.