Loss of Vodafone jobs will be a hammer blow to South Dublin

Fine Gael Dublin South Deputy, Olivia Mitchell, said the potential jobs losses from Vodafone in Leopardstown, which are expected as a result of a new model of mobile customer care being adopted by the company, will have a significant impact on local communities and on the local economy.

“There is never a good time to lose your job but now, more than ever, we are fighting hard to not only encourage inward investment and support indigenous companies but to retain the jobs we have.

“It is worrying that Vodafone, a company which has profited greatly from a very successful business model in the Republic, is now looking to a new provider for its customer care that will see in the region of 300 jobs, a large number of which are in South Dublin, moving to the North.

“I have been liaising with the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, on this issue since it was first brought to my attention. While Vodafone has given every assurance that the appropriate regulations will be observed in the transfer of jobs from one employer to the other, the reality is that a sudden move to Newry will not be an option for many families.

“The Government is working tirelessly to create an environment in which jobs can be created by making Ireland a more competitive place to do business, defending our corporate tax rate, and supporting home-grown industries.

“It is my understanding that the Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte, is due to meet with the CEO of Vodafone next. For the sake of the jobs at stake, the workers that are in this precarious position and the efforts that are being made to rebuild confidence in Ireland and get our people back to work, I hope that the meeting will have a positive outcome.”