A MANUFACTURING PLANT in Tipperary is set to shut with the loss of 94 jobs. Pall Manufacturing in Tipperary town has said that it is operating “at a fraction of the available capacity”.

Tom Hayes, Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, says that the decision has been “sudden” and that staff “are not being offered any chance to relocate”.

The health care products company began manufacturing in the Tipperary town in 1997 but suffered jobs cuts of 150 posts in March 2003, when its entire medical division was shut down. The remaining jobs were in the machinery and equipment division.

David O’Driscoll, General Manager of Pall Ireland, said:

This has not been an easy decision and Pall Ireland is committed to treating employees with dignity and respect. The company will be assisting and supporting everyone affected by today’s announcement to help make the transition as painless as possible.

The company says the plant will be closed by 31 May 2011. The announcement was made to the 71 permanent and 23 temporary staff today at 10am.