Tens of thousands of health workers are being balloted for industrial action as unions warn the system is “chronically understaffed”.

Fórsa union members have already engaged in lunchtime protests over the last three weeks in an ongoing dispute between the union and the HSE and Department of Health.

The union has said that the HSE has 'effectively scrapped' thousands of unfulfilled posts, and that the pressure this has put on services is only expected to get worse moving into winter.

The ballot, which began today, could see over 30,000 workers across the country downing tools in the coming months.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Fórsa spokesperson Ashley Connolly said action is needed to address ‘chronic understaffing’ in the health system.

The understaffing comes despite the end of the HSE recruitment freeze earlier this summer.

In August, the HSE announced an extra 27,901 positions across the healthcare system – including 9,500 new nurses and midwife posts and 3,000 posts for doctors and dentists.

Dysfunctional system

Ms Connolly said that many posts that were previously advertised have since "disappeared".

"They made this big announcement that the recruitment embargo was lifted, but the reality is something completely different," she said.

"When they published their paying number strategy, they 'decommissioned'  all posts that were vacant on the 31st of December 2023."

"These posts were previously funded positions and they have now disappeared."

Ms Connolly said Ireland’s long waiting lists are linked to the understaffing in the system.

Reports

The latest OECD report shows that Ireland has the second highest number of nurses per head of population; however, a Fórsa survey warns that many posts remain unfilled.

The survey - which was conducted over the summer - shows 88% of respondents found there were vacancies in their departments.

Ms Connolly said the understaffing is down to the HSE’s failure to develop a workplace plan that is "fit for purpose".

Budget

Fórsa has also asked the HSE for transparency on how it spends its budget, Ms Connolly said.

She said agency spending that has "significantly increased every quarter", undermines the €1.5 billion allocated to the health sector in Budget 2025.

The union's ballot begins today, with the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO) also balloting its members in the same dispute.

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