Around 200 jobs look set to go nation-wide at a leading Irish builders merchants business.

Grafton Group has indicated the losses are a result of the slowing building market.

The group, which owns retail stores Woodie's and Atlantic Homecare, held its AGM last month. At the time, the oganisation refused to provide expected redundancy figures.

Instead the firm is alleged to have factored "natural attrition" into its future staffing provisions. This means not replacing staff that leave the business.

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This is expected to sever roughly 200 jobs from the 11,400 strong workforce.

Speaking at last month's AGM, Graton's CEO Leo Martin said the group has an "ongoing policy of reviewing staff levels and how we do business".

The group has 71 building merchant bases and eight plumbers merchants stores across Ireland.

At the last AGM the groups reported a 16% fall in sales during the first quarter of 2008. Group turnover was also down 8%. Pre tax profits were also described as being "significantly down" for the year.

Earlier this week, Wolseley Ireland, owner of Brooks and Tubs & Tiles, which also sells to trade, announced 150 job cuts. The firms had previously recruited 600 additional members of staff during the construction boom.

(PR/JM)