Forty seven jobs are to go with the closure of a number of Ulster Bank branches.

The Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA) says it has been informed that 14 branches are to close in the Republic in the first three months of next year.

A further 10 branches will shut in Northern Ireland, although that will not see any job losses.

The announcement is in line with a previous declaration that 40 branches would close by the end of 2016.

The job cuts will be made in the form of voluntary redundancies.

The branches earmarked for closure in the Republic are Ashbourne; Athboy; Athy; Ballinrobe; Castleblayney; Castlerea; Clonee; Croom; Ferbane, Loughrea; Manorhamilton; Moville; Roscrea; and Wicklow.

The IBOA has asked management to review this decision "in the interests of both its customers and its employees" - not least, they say, because Ulster Bank has now returned to profitability, with positive results in each of the first three quarters of this year.

"Job losses are never welcome - especially at a time of high unemployment," said IBOA general secretary Larry Broderick. "However, we note management's commitment to ensure that any job reductions will be implemented on a voluntary basis with no necessity for compulsory redundancies."

The union say they are "very disappointed" at the announcement.