THE computer networking company 3Com said yesterday it would lay off 800 workers as a result of its 58.5 billion (Pounds 5.6 billion) merger with US Robotics, but industry analysts in Ireland predicted that none of the firm's Dublin staff would be affected.

The company said that of the 800 jobs involved, 600 were permanent positions and 200 were temporary. A formal announcement regarding the job cuts would be made either later this month or in early August.

In February, 3Com said the merger would hasten its expansion programme at its Blanchardstown base, bringing staff numbers from the current level of around 800 to 1,150 by the year 2001.