SIXTY JOBS are to go at a Fexco financial services operation in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, following the ending of a contract.
The facility deals with a Western Union money transfers contract.
The Cahersiveen plant, where about 85 people work, will continue to operate, the company said.
The job losses are a major blow for the south Kerry area where a number of factories have closed in recent years with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
In all, Fexco, founded by Brian McCarthy 30 years ago, employs 800 people in Killorglin, Co Kerry, in a range of financial services, including the management of An Post prize bonds.
Earlier this year, it bought Goodbody Stockbrokers.
It also operates the Gulliver accommodation booking service for Fáilte Ireland.
In all, the global financial services company now has 1,500 employees.
Reliable sources in Fexco said a number of additional redundancies were being sought by the company.
In a statement yesterday, the company said: “A Fexco contract at its Cahersiveen facility has come to an end.
“The contract was originally due to end in August 2010 but was subsequently extended to May 2011. The contract’s completion has been known for some time and has been communicated both internally and externally by the company.
“The Cahersiveen facility continues to operate as an integral part of Fexco’s operations and the company is committed to finding a replacement for the contract.”
It is understood the 60 jobs include a number of contract workers.
Siptu, which represents a number of workers in Fexco, called on the Government to focus on “job-retention measures” in the wake of the 60 job losses “in Cahirciveen, west Cork [sic]”.
It said the job losses were a major blow to the community.