Independent News & Media (IN&M) has decided to close its Kerryman printing operation with the loss of 18 full-time jobs and 18 part-time and temporary positions.
Printing of the paper will now be done at the Belfast Telegraph, which is also owned by IN&M. The loss of several contract printing deals at the Kerryman influenced the decision, IN&M said in a statement issued last night.
Editorial and advertising staff are also moving to a new office in Denny Street, Tralee.
This will enable the company to sell its Kerryman office at Clash Industrial Estate. Staff in Tralee were informed of the decision yesterday by some IN&M executives, including HR director Declan Carlyle.
The company said departing employees would be entitled to six weeks of pay per year of service. This is inclusive of statutory redundancy, which represents two weeks of pay per year of service.
Michael Brennan, managing director of the paper, said plans to develop a new compact or tabloid version of the paper were a key factor in the decision. The company said it would become the first regional newspaper in the country to be published in both broadsheet and tabloid formats.
The redundancy package is expected to cost the paper about €2.3 million. The age profile of staff varies, with some members having almost 40 years of service, whereas others joined more recently. IN&M has been increasingly consolidating its national and local newspaper operations. The Sunday World's printing operations in Terenure Dublin were closed last year.
Editorial and commercial staff from the company's main newspapers moved from Middle Abbey Street last year to a new office on Talbot Street.
"Many of those who will leave the company have given long and dedicated service to the Kerryman and obviously it is a sad occasion when a unit like our print plant closes. The company recognises the contribution of these employees over many years and has put a comprehensive and generous severance package in place for all those affected, " Mr Brennan said last night.
The printing press at the Kerryman is believed to be several years old and was originally imported from Australia.
