Updated, 16.32

TELECOMS COMPANY Talk Talk has announced the closure of its call centre in Waterford – meaning the loss of 575 jobs.

In a statement this afternoon, the company said that the entirety of its workforce at the call centre just outside the city would be let go.

The company said it had appointed alternative operators to outsource its customer services businesses earlier this summer, and that the Waterford complex was being closed as operations were transferred to those partners. It also said that more customers were beginning to use its online support facility, reducing demand for telephone support services.

The Waterford site was also Talk Talk’s only premises based within the Eurozone – with the company explaining that the proposed closure would limit its exposure to fluctuations in the euro-sterling exchange rate.

Staff at the site will now enter what the company called a 30-day “consultation period”, after which a final decision on the closure would be made.

“We will be making every effort over the coming weeks to give those affected all the support and help they may need to consider their options for the future, including in some instances the option of relocating to another TalkTalk site.”

It is understood, however, that only a few dozen positions could be made available, with the entirety of these based in Britain.

At its peak, the company employed over 700 staff at the facility, which opened in 1998.

Jobs minister Richard Bruton said his thoughts were with the workers affected and their families, and said he would travel to the site n the next week to offer whatever assistance he could.

“I have asked the IDA to ensure that they make every possible effort to find alternative solutions for this excellent premises and this skilled workforce in the event that the site is closed,” Bruton said. “They assure me that work on this has already started.”

The centre handled all customer care calls for Talk Talk broadband subscribers in the UK, and had also offered support for AOL UK’s broadband customers.