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The company will instead switch PC production to a new facility in Poland, where property and labour costs are cheaper.

The widely-expected move is part of Dell's sustained cost-cutting measures.

Dell opened its plant in Limerick in 1990, and employed 4,500 people at the facility during its late 1990s peak.

The company will begin laying off staff in April, with the transition to Poland expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.

The Limerick operation won't be shut down completely, however: around 1,000 non-production staff will be retained in Ireland.

Nevertheless, it's a considerable blow to the local economy, with many supplier and associated businesses dependent on the Dell factory.