Almost 300 jobs are to go at retailers Marks and Spencer and Superquinn.
M and S is to close four stores in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Westmeath next week - with the loss of 180 positions.
Superquinn is to be rebranded to SuperValu from early next year - resulting in the loss of 102 office based workers.
Our News Correspondent Fergal O'Brien reports:
