Talks will resume this morning aimed at averting industrial action in the health service in a dispute over staffing numbers.
From Monday, 80,000 health workers will commence a work-to-rule in hospitals across the country.
Next Thursday, members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Fórsa trade union will engage in a one-day strike at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association began a work-to-rule on Wednesday.
Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission between HSE management and unions will resume this morning.
“We will continue to work under the auspices of the WRC to find a resolution of the issues in this dispute,” the HSE said in a statement.
“If the industrial action goes ahead, it would involve curtailment of services, but we are focussed on talks towards possible resolution at the WRC,” it added.
During talks on Thursday, the HSE put forward a number a proposals aimed at resolving the dispute.
It is understood the suggested measures included greater consultation with unions on future staffing decisions, an increase in the conversion of agency posts to HSE jobs and the introduction of new training initiatives.
Unions offered counter proposals and the HSE requested more time to consider these.
In an update to members, General Secretary of the INMO Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that unless the HSE reacts positively to the proposals put forward by unions, the work-to-rule will be going ahead on Monday morning.
“You and 80,000 of your fellow healthcare workers will be taking a stand on Monday against the devastating impact the HSE’s recruitment caps have on your ability to provide safe and timely care,” Ms Ní Sheaghdha said in the update.
The talks at the WRC are being attended by the INMO, Fórsa, Unite, Connect and the MLSA.
SIPTU and the IMO were also represented at the talks.
Unions have claimed recruitment restrictions and the suppression of vacant posts have led to unsafe conditions for patients and staff.
The HSE has previously said that the planned industrial action is regrettable against the background of additional funding for the health service and increasing staff numbers.
It added that funding provided in 2024 and 2025 will allow the HSE to recruit an additional 6,528 staff in 2025 in addition to replacing departing staff.
