More than 100 roles to go at Pfizer's Ringaskiddy site amid redundancy plan

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced the loss of more than 100 jobs at its facility in Ringaskiddy in Cork.

The job losses represent approximately 12% of Pfizer’s 800-plus staff at its Ringaskiddy site.

The losses will take the form of redundancies and will affect employees supporting manufacturing operations. They are due to occur in the final quarter of this year.

The company would not say whether the redundancies will be compulsary or voluntary. However, it is understood staff have have informed discussions will begin from Thursday.

It is understood that 102 job losses are planned in total, with the first set to come into effect on September 26 and the last on November 26.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Pfizer said the company was actively engaging with colleagues and their representatives, with all job-related decisions to be made “with transparency, respect, and in compliance with all applicable laws”.

“For over 55 years, Pfizer’s sites in Ireland have played a key role in the global network, manufacturing many of our leading and newest medicines, with over $10 billion investment since operations began in 1969,” they said.

“We remain committed to Ireland with approximately 4,500 colleagues in four locations across the country.” Pfizer was one of the first pharmaceutical companies to locate in Ireland, establishing its first operations in Ringaskiddy in 1969.

The company’s facility is now an 80-acre site with four operating plants and more than 800 staff.

Séamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central, said his thoughts were with all staff affected by the announcement.

“I will be asking that relevant State agencies engage with the company immediately to understand the background to this announcement and to see what can be done to minimise the impact,” Mr McGrath said.

More to follow...