The Caryen healthcare group is cutting its workforce by some 1,000 jobs because of government cuts and changes in residential care.

Careyn, which operates mainly in central and western parts of the country, is closing nine of its 26 care homes over the next few years, as the government shifts towards offering more care in the community.

The company says it plans to save €25m with the job cuts, which are the equivalent of 650 full-time positions. A number of other healthcare groups have announced major job losses in recent months because of the policy switch.