12.21.11 Just days before Christmas, employees of the state health agency’s information technology department have been told they are losing their jobs early next year.

State Department of Health and Hospitals officials said Tuesday 69 positions are being eliminated as part of a restructuring of the agency’s IT operations.

The restructuring had been in the works prior to the latest round of state budget cuts imposed last week by Gov. Bobby Jindal and lawmakers, officials said.

The employee layoff plan is effective Feb. 10.