There are fears of job cuts by the Kepak meat processing company at its beef deboning and cutting operations in Clonee, Co Meath.
Kepak Group said it has commenced a review of the operations due to ongoing supply challenges across the Irish beef sector that have reduced cattle kills, leading to lower processing volumes.
The company has not said how many jobs are under threat, adding that no decisions have yet been made.
RTÉ News understands that up to 100 jobs could go at the plant.
It has commenced a 30-day consultation process with potentially impacted employees.
“Kepak recognises the uncertainty this review creates for its staff and understands the concern involved,” the company said in a statement.
“The company is committed to engaging openly with them throughout the consultation, supporting those affected, exploring redeployment opportunities across its other sites with the objective of retaining as many staff as possible as Kepak employees.
“As the review relates to specific operations rather than the entire site, it would be inappropriate to speculate on its outcome,” Kepak said.
The company said it currently has more beef deboning and cutting capacity than supply can sustain.
“While this imbalance has been managed in recent years through adjustments to working hours and shift patterns, many employees have consistently not worked full weeks.
“The purpose of the review is to better align beef deboning and cutting capacity with the longer-term beef supply outlook thus supporting more stable, predictable and sustainable employment and business,” the company said.
Kepak added that its abattoir at Clonee is not affected by the review and will remain fully operational.
“Kepak will continue to source and slaughter cattle from its farmer supply base, as it has done at the site for more than 45 years,” the company said.
