Ireland's industrial sector suffered another blow today with confirmation of job losses at a food plant in Tipperary and Waterford Wedgewood glass plant.
There are also fears for up to 100 positions at Boston Scientific in Galway after the company announced job cuts worldwide.
Erin Foods plant in Thurles, Co Tipperary, is to close next June with the loss of 95 positions after a manufacturing review by parent company Premier Foods.
A spokesman said: "Premier Foods is aware of the impact this proposal would have on employees and their families and the company is already in discussion with employees and their representatives to assist them in every possible way."
In a separate development the chief executive of Waterford Wedgwood Peter Cameron today confirmed there would be job losses at the glass plant - the home of world renowned Waterford Crystal - as a result of restructuring.
There had been fears in recent weeks that there could be around 500 redundancies and unions were locked in negotiations with management over the proposed cuts.
Speaking as the company's interim results were revealed, Mr Cameron said there would be cuts because the company could not sustain current employment levels but refused to give exact numbers.
"We announced in October that we planned a restructuring of the group's cost base which we aim to implement by the end of this financial year," he said.
"We are now in consultations with our employee representatives and expect to announce a fully-financed plan in the near future."
Earlier in the month Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said every effort would be made by the Government to find new jobs for the affected workers.
Meanwhile it has been reported that Boston Scientific is to shed around 100 positions at its Galway plant.