Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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257. To ask the Minister for Health her views on the planned industrial action as a result of the HSE pay and numbers strategy (details supplied); the steps she is taking to avert this action; the engagements she has had with the relevant trade unions since notice was served; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14524/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Given the unprecedented investment and growth in the number of staff working in our health service over the last 5 years, it is difficult to understand why some health sector unions believe that taking industrial action is justified.

Recruitment of staff over the past 5 years has been the highest since the foundation of the HSE, with over 28,500 staff now working in the health system than there were at the beginning of 2020, a near 25% increase, which includes: 9,794 more nurses and midwives, 4,785 more health and social care professionals and 3,646 more doctors and dentists. Staffing in every hospital has increased by double digit percentages since 2020.

The HSE publish a Pay and Numbers Strategy every year. It is not a new thing. It is a document derived from the Budget and National Service Plan which basically sets out the numbers and allocation of staff that the HSE has approval and funding for in any given year.

There is a narrative that the Pay and Numbers Strategy is just a recruitment freeze under another name. This could not be further from the truth. It In fact, funding has been provided which will allow the HSE to recruit an additional 6,566 staff in 2025, in addition to replacing staff who may leave.

I accept that there are some areas where additional staff may be required, but there is significant scope within this additional allocation for any such need to be met through local prioritisation.

HSE Management are proactively seeking to deescalate the matter and have already had a number of engagements with Unions in an effort to understand how the matter can be resolved, including a meeting directly with the HSE CEO. The matter has now been referred to the WRC with discussions to commence on Thursday 27th March.

Industrial action is unwarranted, and I would encourage all parties to engage through the appropriate channels to resolve this issue. It is essential that industrial peace is upheld in the interests of our health service.