It may be the weekend before workers at Intel know the extent of job cuts at the company.

Some 12,000 employees internationally are being laid off by the tech giant, as it works to cut down reliance on the personal computing market.

Last month the company announced it would shed jobs at its operations across the globe.

Around 5,500 people work for the chip manufacturer here at plants in Kildare, Shannon and Cork.

It is not yet known which of the factories are affected - however, the majority of the cuts are expected at the company's European headquarters in Co Kildare.

While no official statement from the technology giant has been released, it is understood Intel has asked business groups here to allow them the space to brief employees before the full impact of cuts is made public.

Some staff are reportedly being briefed this afternoon - however it could be days before the full extent of the job losses are known.

Independent Councillor for Leixlip Bernard Caldwell says "we would be concerned about any job losses, in particular here at Intel. But I don't think it's as bad as people are making it out to be".

Local TD Catherine Murphy says she does not believe this is another Dell scenario.