Up to 20 people are to be made redundant at The Times Ireland newspaper, RTÉ News understands.

Sources say the print version of the paper as it currently exists will cease publication.

In a statement, the company said a consultation process had begun with staff at the newspaper and that the company was proposing a return to the International edition in print, but that no final decision had been made.

However, RTÉ News understands staff were told at a meeting today that all but three positions at the paper were to be made redundant and that those three jobs had to be reapplied for.

A print version of the Times Ireland was launched in June 2017 after a digital-only launch in 2015.

The publication will return to a digital-only edition.

The statement went on to say that The Sunday Times in Ireland will be unaffected by the changes.

"Our fast-growing international digital edition, which is now sold in more than 150 countries, will be the ongoing focus of our Irish news operation," said the spokesperson.