The trade union Fórsa is to ask that so-called ‘Section 39’ agencies and their staff be brought under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.

Unions will talk with HSE officials in a conference call on Friday.

The union, which first made the proposal over three ago, has said the move would ease voluntary transfers of staff into essential health service areas.

And said it would "underpin jobs" in the sector by giving financial stability to agencies that are currently delivering reduced services because of COVID-related restrictions.

Section 39 health organisations provide services to society and local communities across the country.

This includes hospices, mental health providers, nursing home and homecare providers, small community-based groups and social care services.

The agencies are independent of the HSE, but receive public money to provide disability, homelessness, addiction and other services.

Fórsa’s head of health, Éamonn Donnelly, said: "These agencies and their staff need maximum stability in a time of crisis.

"They are also a source of capable, qualified and Garda-vetted staff, who have the necessary skills needed to hit the ground running in the coronavirus response in our communities.

"Staff in the sector are telling me that they are ready to make a bigger contribution.

"They will respond if the HSE looks for their support, and the best way to facilitate this is to bring the Section 39s under the HSE umbrella for the duration of the crisis".

Mr Donnelly said the financial uncertainty surrounding the sector meant some Section 39 agencies were at risk of going under.

"Thousands of vulnerable people depend on their services, and the liability would fall on an already overstretched HSE if any of them close or fail".