More than 300 jobs are to go at the Novartis pharmaceutical firm in Cork.
Staff were told about the job losses at a meeting in Ringaskiddy this morning.
Employees at the Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer were called to a meeting at around eight o'clock this morning.
The company says the changes could impact up to 320 employees at the Novartis Ringaskiddy campus.
It says this a "strategic decision and part of the ongoing evaluation of the Novartis manufacturing network around the world."
Shane Relihan, Managing Director at Novartis Ringaskiddy Limited said, "today is a very difficult day and that this decision is not a reflection of the performance of our dedicated colleagues."
It is understood that the job losses will follow a period of consultation between local management and the workers.
It comes less than 24 hours after a major jobs blow in Clare.
US multinational Molex confirmed its plans to close its factory in Shannon - with the loss of 500 jobs.
