Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
78. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide targeted supports for workers impacted by job cuts at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21689/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstablished in 1968, Intel is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and employing over 110,000 people worldwide, the company is one of the leading microelectronic companies in the world. The company designs, manufactures, and sells microprocessors for computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as embedded semiconductors for the industrial, medical, and automotive markets.
Intel is a significant employer in Ireland, with Ireland being Intel’s centre of manufacturing excellence in Europe. The company has invested over €30 billion in Ireland since it first established here. The company’s presence in Ireland since 1989 has helped to transform Ireland’s value proposition into a leading global location for major multinational capital investments at scale.
On Thursday 24th April, Intel announced its first quarter financial results for 2025. Revenue for the first quarter ($12.7 billion) was flat versus the same quarter last year. The company’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, described the results as “a step in the right direction” as the company seeks to regain market share and return to growth, but stated that there are “no quick fixes”. The CEO also said that he will be “taking swift actions to drive better execution and operational efficiency while empowering our engineers to create great products”.
As part of the drive to deliver greater efficiency, the CEO said that Intel would take actions to streamline the organisation, eliminate management layers and enable faster decision-making. The CEO also stated that they will continue to focus investment on the company’s core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products. This is the primary activity in Ireland.
Intel provided no further details on what its immediate plans are in terms of the company’s global headcount reductions. It is likely to be several weeks before detail is available on how the company’s Irish operations may be affected.
My foremost concern is for the potentially impacted employees and their families during this uncertain time. Should redundancies be announced by the company, our enterprise agencies will assist where possible in helping those impacted to find alternative employment. Other State supports will be made available to those who may need them, including advice on entitlements and protections, as well as on re-training and education options.
My Department, through IDA Ireland, will continue to work with the company as it works through its plans over the coming weeks and months and I am meeting the company myself today as part of Government's ongoing engagement with Intel.
