Richard Boyd Barrett: 700 Covalen Workers Replaced by AI

Richard Boyd Barrett addresses the Taoiseach about 700 workers at Covalen, a major contractor for Meta, who have been told their jobs are gone. He highlights that the company made 26 million in profits last year, that 300 prior job losses have already occurred, and that most affected workers receive no redundancy.

Immediate issue

Richard Boyd Barrett raises the plight of Covalen employees who cannot work for six months because of Meta's contractual requirements and who face job loss after training the very AI now replacing them. He urges a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Senior Minister to discuss urgent redress.

Numbers and company profits

He notes the scale of the cuts: 700 jobs lost on top of 300 earlier reductions, and highlights the company's reported 26 million profit in the prior year as context for the workers' lack of redundancy payments.

Call for government action

Richard Boyd Barrett asks the government to meet affected workers and their representatives, and to consider the implications of AI-driven displacement where workers who trained systems are being replaced.

Wider consequences

The address frames these redundancies as part of a broader trend of job losses linked to automation and contract terms imposed by large tech clients. The speech seeks accountability and an immediate discussion with ministers to protect the workers involved.