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307 jobs are under threat at online payment firm PayPal’s offices in Dublin and Dundalk in Co Louth.

The company is opening a consultation with impacted staff who have been notified about the situation.

The roles that are being targeted for compulsory redundancy are across a range of functions.

135 of the positions are based in company’s Dublin office in Blanchardstown, while the remaining 172 roles are in the Co Louth town.

PayPal has stressed that the decision does not change its commitment to Ireland.

“PayPal remains committed to Ireland and our Dublin and Dundalk sites will continue to be among our largest global centres for employment and operations, supporting our customers,” it said in a statement.

“We will continue to employ well over 2,000 employees after the proposed changes.”

The company said the move was the result of it examining its business to see how it can plan for the future.

“The changes will help us scale our business to meet the evolving needs of our customers, ready for our next chapter of growth,” it said.

A spokesman said PayPal is committed to ensuring anyone who leaves the business will be treated fairly and generously.

“We are offering enhanced redundancy and support packages to help them as they move to the next step in their careers,” the company said.

Last year the company relocated around 130 roles in a limited number of teams in Dublin and Dundalk to other locations around the world.

Impacted workers were offered the option to apply for other jobs within the company, or for an enhanced voluntary redundancy package.

In 2012, the company announced 1,000 jobs at a new International Operations Centre in Dundalk, with a further 400 following in 2014.

In 2016, it said that it planned to expand its presence in the Co Louth town following its separation from eBay.

A decision by the online auction site to close its Dundalk office with the loss of 150 jobs provided an opportunity for Paypal to expand there in what was a shared facility.

The same year it also announced 100 new jobs at its Dublin office, where it has been operating since 2003.

In 2009, PayPal invested €15m in the establishment of a European Centre of Excellence in Blanchardstown.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said today’s news will come as a real shock to the staff working at Paypal’s Dundalk and Blanchardstown offices, their families and communities.

He said the Paypal leadership team has assured him that the company remains committed to Ireland and the remaining 2,000 staff the company will continue to employ here.

“The Government will make all necessary State assistance available to the workers, to help them find new employment, education and training opportunities as soon as possible,” Mr Varadkar said.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin West Jack Chambers said consultation with staff with start on Thursday, and “all 307 redundancies will be initially sought on a voluntary basis, and a good redundancy package will be made available”, he said.

Meanwhile, Labour Party TD for Louth and East Meath Ged Nash has insisted that redundancy packages must be “generous” and benchmarked against previous schemes at the plant.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Drivetime, Mr Nash said that there is some confusion among staff regarding whether the proposed redundancies will be compulsory or voluntary.

“I think the company itself is getting off on a very bad foot here,” he said.

“You should be entering a process like this in good faith, full disclosure with local representatives, with TDs and also, most importantly with staff.

“So I think that the company has an awful lot to do now to ensure that they gain the trust of staff – some of whom may ultimately find that their jobs are gone.

“Whatever package is organised ultimately needs to be a generous one benchmarked against previous schemes at the plant,” he said.

Article Source – 307 PayPal jobs under threat in Dublin and Dundalk – Will Goodbody – RTE

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