SIPTU, and colleague health unions, will stage a protest at Letterkenny University Hospital today over the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy.
Problems with the strategy stem from the 2023 retirement embargo implemented by the HSE which left approved positions unfilled.
The pay and numbers recruitment policy, published in July 2024, decommissioned vacancies that were unfilled on 31st December 2023. Despite this, patient numbers continue to grow with Ireland’s growing population.
SIPTU said that a key issue of members is staffing levels within the HSE, with the HSE’s own employment census data demonstrating that “many key, front-line roles have not benefitted from record levels of investment in the health service”.
SIPTU Organiser, Ciaran Sheridan, said “Our members are deeply frustrated at the lack of recruitment in certain areas of the hospital and across the region. They are concerned about the potential impact on services. It is clear to them that the HSE’s policy on recruitment is not fit for purpose and places an effective embargo on the recruitment of staff in certain areas.”
Sheridan added: “We believe that this approach needs to be reviewed so we can have meaningful, local engagement with the employer to resolve local recruitment issues where they are arising.”
A protest will take place at Letterkenny University Hospital on the issue this lunchtime.