22 jobs to go at Athlone's Elan facility

Elan has announced that it is seeking 22 redundancies from its plant in Athlone. Staff at the pharmaceutical company were recently informed that the job losses would be sought on a voluntary basis before the end of this year. The number of staff who will lose their jobs represents just over 5% of the company’s total workforce of 400 at the Monksland facility. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, a spokesperson for Elan stated that its “manufacturing outlook is relatively flat over the next two years.” This, coupled with “some operating efficiencies” at the Athlone facility resulted in the decision to seek the 22 redundancies. This is the third time in the last 18 months that Elan has sought redundancies at its Athlone operation. In February 2009 it was indicated that up to 90 workers at the Athlone plant would lose their jobs, while a further announcement in September of last year stated that 29 workers would be made redundant at the facility.