140 staff at Twitter Ireland are to be made redundant, Leo Varadkar has confirmed.

The Tánaiste was speaking in Athlone last night following weeks of speculation around the scale of the company's mooted layoffs.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was informed of the social media giant's intention to let go of 140 of its 500 workers in Ireland.

The decision by new CEO Elon Musk has been taken in an attempt to cut costs as, according to Mr Musk, Twitter is losing millions everyday.

Analysts believe the company over-hired staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Musk takeover

Mr Musk's takeover of the company has been mired in controversy, with many employees finding themselves suddenly locked out of buildings and email accounts before being informed they had been laid off.

Last week, Mr Musk responding to criticism of the policy, saying that claims that employees must be in-office are "false".

It was reported that remaining employees at Twitter Dublin were told that they are now required to be in the office at least 40 hours a week.

"Anyone who can be in the office should be" and working remotely is okay when a manager can vouch for the employees "excellence", he said.

'Unacceptable'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Twitter’s treatment of its employees is “unacceptable”.

Some staff members have opted for a severance package after Mr Musk said all staying on would have to sign a new contract which requires them to work “long hours at high intensity”.

“It’s unacceptable what’s happening within Twitter in terms of employees who have very uncertain futures,” Mr Martin told Newstalk. 

“There’s a need for coherence and there’s a need for a clear road map ahead in terms of Twitter.

“So, we will work with all employees to see what we can do to help and to be of assistance.

“And yes, our laws will apply.”