Scrapping of ‘Donegal on Sunday’ and job losses at the Donegal Democrat

Johnston Press, owners of the Donegal Democrat Group of newspapers, has announced  a detailed review of its publishing strategy for the Donegal market.
As a result of the review, the company has announced the following proposal today to staff:
* Closure of the Donegal on Sunday title;
* Reduction and re-organisation of editorial resources to focus on the company’s other brand leading titles in Donegal, the Donegal Democrat (Tuesday edition), Donegal People’s Press and the Donegal Democrat (Thursday) and our website www.donegaldemocrat.ie
It is anticipated there will be a net reduction of three full time equivalent editorial roles as a result of this proposal. Prior to any implementation, the company has sought voluntary redundancies and will consult individually and collectively with all staff as appropriate.
It is anticipated that this consultation process will be complete by early August 2012. In the event this proposal goes ahead, the company will endeavour to minimise the impact through re-deployment to alternative positions and voluntary redundancy.
Last month the Scottish-listed media group announced plans to close the Offaly Express newspaper in Tullamore and plans to introduce other cost-cutting measures at its Irish regional titles.
Latest accounts for Johnston Press Ireland Ltd show it made pretax losses of €3.9 million in 2010 and €5.3 million in 2009.
Its revenues in 2010 declined by 25 per cent to €23 million.
The 2010 results included redundancy costs of €1.9 million, which reflected the closure of a print press and restructuring of management in Ireland.