Fórsa launched a new report on Monday (31st May) urging the Government to “harness the productive power of sectoral bargaining” which it says will improve wage levels and pay equality. The report explores how robust collective bargaining arrangements in other open economies are credited with strong consumer demand, economic stability, industrial peace, flexibility and innovation.

Fórsa has called on the HSE to fast-track plans to recruit 7,000 community-based health staff over the next three years. The commitment was set out in the Government’s Sláintecare Strategic Action Plan 2021-23, which was published in May. Fórsa’s head of Health, Éamonn Donnelly, said health and social care professionals (HSCPs) are concerned that no timeline has been put on recruitment targets in the action plan’s list of ‘key projects and deliverables.’

Fórsa has warned that the wide range of specialist health services delivered by the community and voluntary sector, including disability, addiction and care services for older people, is at a real risk of collapse. Fórsa official Catherine Keogh told the union’s Health and Welfare divisional conference last week that a new funding model is necessary if the sector is to survive.

Fórsa has called on the Government to radically improve the level of resources to children’s disability services in order that the newly reconfigured services network is properly funded.

The chair of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division praised the contribution of health service managers, administrators, IT and support staff during the Covid crisis and the recent cyber-attack on the HSE. Speaking at the union’s biennial Health & Welfare Divisional Conference last week, Don Gibney said the pandemic had “brought out the best in our society.”

Unions have been responding to the Government’s National Resilience and Recovery Plan, which was unveiled on Tuesday (1st June).