Limerick-based Carelon Global Solutions to close with loss of 300 jobs

Company formerly known as Legato Health Technologies first launched in Ireland in 2021

CEO of the IDA Michael Lohan pictured with John Shaw, Chief Country Executive with Carelon Global Solutions Ireland and Neale Richmond, who is now Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

Some 300 jobs will be lost in Limerick with the closure of health technology firm Carelon Global Solutions in Castletroy.

The company, which launched in Ireland in 2021 with support from the IDA, confirmed on Wednesday that it would permanently shut, with the closure of operations set to take place over the next several months.

Carelon's Irish branch had been in consultation with employee representatives for over a month, with staff being informed on Wednesday that it had ultimately decided to shut the plant.

In April last year, the company announced 100 new jobs across the Limerick site, bringing its total workforce to more than 300 people.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Carelon said: "After carefully considering alternatives and conducting a consultation process with employee representatives, we have made the difficult decision that we will cease our operations of Carelon Global Solutions Ireland Limited."

"The process to close operations will occur over the course of the next several months, and we expect it to be completed by the end of 2025. 

"We greatly appreciate the work and dedication from associates in Ireland over the past few years and are committed to supporting them during this time.”

Formerly known as Legato Health Technologies, Carelon provides digital integrated solutions for the healthcare industry, and is involved in information technology solutions, data analytics and business process systems. The company also has a presence in India, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

It is part of the larger Elevance Health group, which owns several health organisations involved in the commercial and medicare areas, including the Anthem Blue cross and Blue Shield company, and the Wellpoint company.

Reacting to the decision, Limerick Chamber said the closure will directly impact several hunderd highly skilled jobs in the region.

"Carelon succeeded here. They found the talent, the innovation, and the support they were looking for in abundance. We regret the decision to cease operations in Limerick,” said Limerick Chamber CEO Michelle Gallagher. "Our understanding is that the decision was taken for commercial reasons in the group US head office, and has no reflection on the fantastic team in Limerick, or indeed on Ireland or the Midwest as a location for ease of accessing talent or doing business.

"Our priority now is to support the highly skilled Carelon staff affected by this move and ensure they are given every opportunity to remain in the region, where their talents are in high demand," Ms Gallagher said.