280 job are being cut at a pharmaceutical company in Co. Wicklow. Staff at the Merck site in Rathdrum were called to a meeting to discuss the cuts this morning.

It is understood the cuts are part of a world-wide reduction in costs at the company.

Manufacturing there will start to be phased out in 2014 but the company says that no staff reductions are anticipated until the end of next year.

'Not a reflection of the site’s performance'

The site director is John Smith "Rathdrum has been a significant manufacturing site since 1961 and has a long history of operational excellence" he said.

"The proposal to cease operations is not a reflection of the site’s performance or the highly-skilled people working there. The proposed action is the result of MSD’s ongoing review of the global manufacturing capacities needed to support its growth, business goals, product portfolio and pipeline" he added.

The company will now enter into consultation with employees and their representatives.

The company says it plans to relocate products made at Rathdrum to MSD sites in Ballydine, Co. Tipperary and Singapore, as well as to 3rd-party manufacturers.

The firm also employs around 2,000 people at sites in Carlow, Cork, Dublin and Tipperary. It adds that these sites are not affected by the announcement today.