The HSE and the Department of Health have engaged extensively, constructively and in good faith with staff representatives for more than two years to address the issues raised in the National Ambulance Service. That engagement has taken place through the State’s established industrial relations machinery, including the WRC and the Labour Court, and within the framework of the Public Service Agreement.
A comprehensive and independently brokered set of proposals emerged from that process. These included significant pay improvements for staff-between 3% and 14%-on top of the 9.25% pay increases already provided for under the Public Service Agreement. Crucially, those pay increases were linked to agreed reforms. The HSE and Departments of Health and Public Expenditure accepted the proposals, which included the full, immediate implementation of the proposed pay increases. It is difficult to understand why a resolution independently and fairly arrived at through the State’s industrial relations framework - a process the unions were party to-is now being rejected.
While union leadership initially endorsed the proposals and recommended them to members, they were subsequently rejected in a ballot. The difficulty is that they are now seeking to secure all the pay increases while resisting delivery of the associated reforms, which is not consistent with how these matters were independently resolved through the State’s industrial relations framework. Those reforms are essential because they deliver real benefits for patients and service delivery, including faster response times, more ambulances available through modern crewing arrangements, greater flexibility across the service, and the ability to treat more patients safely in the most appropriate setting.
The HSE and the Department of Health remain open to further engagement through the State’s industrial relations machinery to find a resolution to this matter. The HSE has requested both SIPTU and UNITE re-engage through dispute resolution mechanisms under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026. In parallel with these engagements, contingency planning will be undertaken by the HSE to minimise disruption, prioritising patient safety and emergency ambulance services.
