Questions have been raised over Dell’s long-term commitment to Ireland after the vendor confirmed it had axed “several hundred” temporary staff from its Raheen plant.

Dell stressed that none of its 4,400 full-time employees in Dublin and Limerick have been impacted and that it was “standard practice” to lay-off temporary employees.

According to Irish newspapers, 700 jobs have been slashed. A further 100 jobs at contract manufacturer and Dell partner Flextronics are also under threat, the reports suggested.

Dell’s cut-backs come a month after rumours emerged Dell could axe or sell off its Irish manufacturing facilities altogether as part of a global divestment programme (Channelweb, 15 September).

Irish politicians called on Tanaiste Mary Coughlan to issue a statement on the future of its Limerick plant.

According to the Irish Times, former Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan, said: “Even if these jobs are temporary, they still are jobs that are being lost and the sheer volume is a cause of major concern.

"So far, the Tánaiste has failed to make a clear statement in the Dáil, despite several requests for her to do so . . . Whether it's a case of Dell downsizing and looking for more tax breaks or of Dell closing up altogether, we need to know.”