More than 300 people working at Cardinal Health in Co Offaly are being made redundant following the company’s announcement to close its plant by spring 2026.
Staff and union members were informed of the decision on Thursday morning.
The company closed operations at the Tullamore site on Wednesday when it called staff to the emergency meeting.
Cardinal Health has 315 employees at the medical devices manufacturing plant at Sragh Industrial Estate in Tullamore.
Minister for State for Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke said his main concern was for Cardinal Health staff and their families who were now coming to terms with the impact of the announcement.
“This industry has had a presence in Tullamore for over 40 years, well served by a loyal workforce and with considerable support from the IDA over the years,” he said. Cardinal Health has 315 employees in Tullamore.
“I have been engaging and will continue to engage with the company. Following this morning’s Town Hall meeting with staff, and along with the IDA and my Department we will work with the company management and with staff on current and potential future possibilities. We will make every effort to identify alternative employment opportunities for the staff affected by this announcement.
“As a country we are at full employment, with strong demand for medtech and life sciences skills and we will work to help employees impacted to find alternative employment.”
Siptu trade union area organiser Ashling Dunne said that notification of a staff meeting came “out of the blue” and was a shock.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Thursday ahead of the announcement, Ms Dunne said it was “never generally good news” when a meeting like this was called.
On Wednesday afternoon, staff were advised that production would cease to allow all staff to attend a meeting on Thursday morning for an announcement.
Ms Dunne, who has been representing staff at Cardinal Health for over five years, said there had been no indication that the company was in any difficulty or that there would be any job losses.
There would be a number of options for staff, she said. “We absolutely will have to make contact with the IDA and the Government to intervene immediately.”