In total, 120 people are currently employed on-site. Remaining staff will also be given 25% pay cuts, in the form of "new shift arrangements".

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, a representative for Glanbia said that the company was seeking 30 redundancies for its Kildare factory, out of which 15 were already applied for voluntarily.

"Glanbia Consumer Products is engaging with employees and their representatives at its milk packaging facility in Ballitore, Co Kildare, to seek 30 redundancies. Fifteen redundancies have already been applied for on a voluntary basis.

"The company met with employees and their representatives this week to initiate a consultation period which is expected to last a number of weeks. New shift arrangements at the site will also form part of the discussions.

"Management will engage with employees and their representatives over the coming weeks to discuss the issues," a representative said.

It is understood that the loss of a large contract from Tesco recently has led to the redundancies.

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