The ICTU staff panel of Health Unions is deeply concerned by reports of the HSE’s decision to pause recruitment for non-frontline and non-critical posts in a number of regions without prior engagement with trade unions.
The move appears to breach the 2025 WRC agreement on the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy and Labour Court recommendation, all of which require meaningful consultation with unions before such measures are implemented.
While the staff panel support measures to reduce excessive agency spending, the unions position has consistently been that this must be achieved through increased direct employment.
The priority must be to move away from costly agency dependence and towards secure, directly employed staffing arrangements that strengthen public health services and deliver better value for the taxpayer. The staff panel have sought urgent engagement with the HSE.
Ashley Connolly, Fórsa’s Head of Health & Welfare division, said: “Yet again the HSE has failed to engage with the trade unions, and is imposing arbitrary measures which impact on the delivery of services. We have consistently raised the problem of excessive spending on agency staff and private consultants, problems that remain unaddressed.”
Kevin Figgis of SIPTU said commitments in current agreements on direct employment must be adhered to by the HSE: “It remains questionable as to whether health budgets are fit for purpose. Failing to meet requirements for direct employment affects the delivery of services, because it generates a chaotic approach to employment in health.”
Dr. Edward Mathews, deputy general secretary of the INMO, said: “It is inconceivable that the HSE has again moved to restrict recruitment, while failing to address the underlying issues. These restrictive measures continue to impact on our members ability to deliver safe services.”
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