A number of regional news outlets have been reporting over the last week about huge sums being spent by the HSE on recruitment firms and agency staff. Waterford Live reports on figures, released by the HSE, showing more than €9,367,638 was spent by Waterford University Hospital on the services of recruitment firms and agency staff last year, not including the month of December. Late last week it was revealed that the spend for UHL in Limerick was north of €18m.

Further to the news on Friday, that a bid to get the HSE to set up a special occupational sick pay scheme for workers with long-Covid was rejected at the Labour Court, the health minister announced that a temporary sick leave scheme for health workers with Long Covid is to be extended for six months. 

Further to last week's announcement that the Government is to prioritise "cost and efficiency" over "design standards and aesthetics" in future infrastructure projects, Simon McGirr's newsletter The Gist reveals just how bad an idea that would be. 

Elsewhere, Euronews reports that French air traffic controllers are threatening to strike as the summer holiday season begins.  

Zen

Readers will already know the Zen desk is a big fan of the wonderful CMAT, who played a zinger of a set at Glastonbury on Friday. Sporting the colours of Europe she led the huge crowd in the singalong favourites in a set that had the critics buzzing. It was joyful.

Controversy on the West Holts stage with Kneecap however, as Pats fans in Inchicore rage against the wearing of the Bohs jersey. But Chic unites us all.

Have a lovely week.

Niall Shanahan