Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the serious news that Google has announced that it plans to cut 240 from its Irish workforce. My thoughts today, like those of all of us, are with those individuals who are affected by this announcement and with their families. Of course, the job losses will impact those employed by Google within my own constituency of Dublin Bay South, in particular, where Google has a very significant presence. Indeed, it has a significant level of engagement with local communities in Ringsend, Irishtown and around Pearse Street and the south-east inner city. I acknowledge that staff have been informed and that Google has notified the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and public representatives in the area, including me. That is welcome, but it is of huge concern to see these announcements being made. We are conscious that it represents only 4.3% of Google's Irish workforce, so it is less than the 6% cut being applied globally by Google. That is one small positive. I wish the employee representatives well as they enter talks in the consultation period. What plans does Government have to reassure other employees in the tech sector who may also be facing this sort of announcement?

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