WORKERS impacted by the closure of Carelon Global Solutions in Limerick are being urged to avail of government supports to help them find alternative employment.
It was announced last week (Wednesday, May 28) that over 300 jobs will be lost as the US health insurer plan to cease operations at its Castletroy base by the end of the year.
Based in Limerick since 2021, the company confirmed in a statement that “after carefully considering alternatives and conducting a consultation process with employee representatives” it had made the difficult decision to cease operations.
Willie O’Dea, Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick said: “Everything possible will be done to support the employees and their families including assistance to find alternative employment and self-employment.
“Following the announcement from Carelon, the Government’s priority now is to ensure that those affected employees will receive access to all necessary supports without delay”, Deputy O’Dea added.
It’s also been confirmed that Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has contacted Carelon to provide the company with income and employment supports to assist them over the coming months.
Workers will also be entitled to the new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, introduced in March, to those who meet the eligibility conditions.
The scheme provides a maximum weekly payment of €450
which will help people during this period of uncertainty while they seek new employment.
Sinn Féin are also calling on the government who say “everything possible must be done to support Carelon workers and their families.”
Commenting on the announcement, Limerick Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan, said: “This announcement is a bitter blow for Limerick. I would appeal to Carelon to engage with the workers and their representatives and support the impacted workers, giving them clarity as to what comes next.”
“Since their arrival in Limerick, Carelon have made an immense impact in terms of their support and engagement with the local community. The support they have provided to Treaty United Academy, Thomond Community College and other local organisations has been commendable”, Deputy Quinlivan said.
“However, these job losses will have an impact on the employees and their families, and I encourage management at Carelon to engage positively both with the staff and their representatives in ensuring those impacted are supported in this difficult time.”
Other members of the opposition have also voiced their concerns amid speculation in March that job losses were on the horizon.
Labour TD for Limerick city Conor Sheehan said: “We also need to ask: where is the Minister for Enterprise? These jobs didn’t appear out of nowhere. Significant investment, both in terms of the IDA, and attracting a skilled workforce has been put into Carelon. This company is clearly profitable so we need answers – why has this decision been allowed to happen with such little warning?
What engagement has the Minister had with the parent company? Have there been attempts to prevent this given that this was flagged two months ago?”, Deputy Sheehan insisted.
