Hartford managed care provider Aetna Inc. is shutting down operations in Casteleisland, County Kerry, Ireland with the loss of 100 jobs, The Irish Times reports.
Only three years ago it announced an expansion in Castleisland supported by government agencies, the newspaper reported Wednesday on its website.
The company is involved in a cost-cutting exercise globally and is outsourcing its international service operations.
It wants greater flexibility in downsizing or upsizing workforces and also to be nearer emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday.
However, the spokeswoman said the decision on the 23-year-old Castleisland facility was “by no means” a reflection on the cost of doing business in Ireland or on its local workforce.
Aetna is in discussions with a number of overseas vendors to handle the claims and customer service functions carried out by Kerry staff.
