Telecommunications giant Ericsson is to axe 100 jobs at its plant in Athlone, Co Westmeath, Ireland, it has announced.

Employees have been told the positions at the research and development facility will be cut by February.

Most of those affected will have been working on what the company describes as ‘legacy’ products, or older technology which it says no longer requires the same levels of investment.

There will also be some non-software development jobs cut, in the management, administration and support areas.

An Ericsson spokeswoman said there would be some opportunities for workers to be redeployed elsewhere in the firm.

But if a voluntary redundancy scheme does not get the numbers the company has targeted, they will introduce mandatory lay-offs.

The spokeswoman said the Ath­lone site, which currently employs almost 800 people, remains a integral research and development centre for the company.

“However, given that a part of the existing operation is currently involved in the development of legacy products, it is impossible for the site not to sustain some headcount reductions given the reduced investment in these legacy areas,” she said.

“The future strategy remains unchanged and the research and development operations in Athlone remain an integral part of the overall Ericsson portfolio.”

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