HP job losses 'devastating' for blow for local families - Byrne

Hewlett Packard decision to shut one of its main operations in Ireland with the loss of 500 hundred jobs has been described as 'devastating' by local TD Thomas Byrne.

The multinational's facility in Leixlip, Co Kildare, focuses on products for the PC and printer market, which is under increasing pressure from the fall in traditional computer sales, the move away from printing documents and preference for tablet technology.
The company said in a statement: 'In line with our previously communicated strategy, HP's global print business is working to drive continuous efficiencies and cost savings that enable investment in new market opportunities and growth initiatives, such as 3D printing. As a result, we have made the decision to close our global print business at the Leixlip site.

'It is likely that close to 500 HP employees will be impacted and leave the business over the next 12 months.'

Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East Thomas Byrne said the loss of  the jobs at HP in Leixlip comes as a major blow to not only the local community but also to south Meath, where many of HP’s employees live.

Deputy Byrne further added that the Government needs to put in place a multi-agency taskforce in order to assist workers in finding alternative employment as quickly as possible.

“Today’s news is a devastating blow for workers and their families. HP is an iconic employer in county Kildare, however many of the employees live in county Meath and indeed further afield. The company employs thousands of workers and it has played a major role in supporting the local economy down through the years. These job losses are worrying and demonstrate the fragility of our economic recovery,” said Deputy Byrne.

“The Government needs to put in place a multi-agency taskforce to assist workers in finding alternative employment. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor needs to step up to the mark and ensure the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and other key agencies work together to secure alternative employment for the workers affected by this announcement.

“Minister Mitchell O’Connor also needs to explore the possibility of securing funding from the European Union to help limit the impact of these job losses. The Government can make an application for emergency funding to help retrain workers who lose their job due to the negative effects of globalisation. A similar approach was taken in Limerick in 2009 when Dell announced substantial job losses.

“Many of the workers affected by these job losses are highly skilled and need to be assisted in finding employment in expanding companies. If workers feel that they need to upskill then they should be given the opportunity to do so. Some of the workers have been employed at HP for many years and may be entitled to generous redundancy packages. Enterprise Ireland should assist these workers if any of them decide to setup their own businesses.

“These job losses are a major blow to counties Kildare and Meath, but the damage can be limited if the Government is pro-active,” concluded Deputy Byrne.

Jobs Minister Minister Mitchell O' Connor has said that “all the supports of the State will be made available” to workers.

“Firstly, my thoughts are with the employees of HP Inc and their families as they receive this difficult news today,” said the Minister.

“There is no doubt that this is a significant blow to the employees, their families and to the region.