Hundreds of jobs are set to go at Intel’s Irish operations as part of a global restructuring by the computer chip giant.

Staff are now awaiting details of an offer of voluntary redundancy, which the company said it would issue next week.

In an internal email circulated to staff on Thursday and written by Intel Ireland's general manager Eamonn Sinnott, the company confirmed Ireland would be impacted by the cuts and that employees would be notified "within 72 hours of May 4th" in relation to job losses.

Intel is cutting 12,000 jobs, or more than one in 10 of its global workforce, as it struggles with falling demand for PCs and looks to refocus on more profitable business.

The US group is closing a number of its facilities as part of the programme. However, it is understood the Irish operations are not at risk of closure.

Intel employs more than 5,000 people in Ireland – including 4,500 at the chipmaker's largest site in Europe, outside Leixlip, Co Kildare, a further 250 at a R&D facility in Shannon, Co Clare, and hundreds more in Cork.

A recent $5 billion (€4.4 billion) upgrade, which brought new technology capabilities to the Kildare operation, is expected to reduce the scale of layoffs required in Ireland.

On a pro rata basis, Intel Ireland could expect to shed 550 staff, but it is understood the final number will be well short of this. Reports suggest the company is looking to thin its middle management and engineering ranks.

On the basis of previous “separation” programmes, Intel is likely to offer selective early retirement to some staff and delay or mothball certain projects.

Despite the impending job cuts, job openings for the Leixlip plant were still being posted on Intel’s website.

A spokeswoman said Intel Ireland had no further details to add. IDA Ireland said it would not be commenting until the company makes an statement.