TalkTalk call centre shuts doors

The TalkTalk call centre closed its doors in Waterford today with the loss of over 570 jobs.

The UK telecoms firm announced its intention to leave the southeast last month following a decision to outsource its business to other firms. Today's closure follows a 30-day consultation with employees.

The firm said call volumes had fallen by 40 per cent year-on-year as more customers opted to deal with support issues online.

Business from the Waterford call centre is to be moved to other companies contracted to do the work earlier this year. The company said there may be an opportunity for about 80 employees to relocate to another facility in the United Kingdom.

Following TalkTalk's announcement last month, Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton tasked IDA Ireland and other agencies to draw up a jobs action plan for the southeast.

Mr Bruton sought a deferral of the company's plan to close the centre but was unable to persuade the firm to do so despite a meeting with TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding in the immediate aftermath of the September 7th closure announcement.

A number of initiatives, including a jobs fair, have been organised to assist staff who have been made redundant at TalkTalk centre.

GlaxoSmithKline cut its workforce in Dungarvan by 130 in March. In September 2009, 315 jobs were lost at Teva, one of the biggest pharmaceutical factories in the region.

In 2009, almost 500 jobs went at Waterford Crystal and contact lens maker Bausch & Lombe announced 195 lay-offs in March 2009.