Fórsa will cooperate with the establishment of nine ‘learning sites’ to pilot new HSE community healthcare organisation (CHO) structures, which the union says will be central to the implementation of the ten-year Sláintecare programme.

There are 4,282 child protection cases awaiting allocation of a social worker, including over 650 that have been judged as ‘high priority,’ according to Fórsa.

Frustrating delays caused by pent-up demand for the recently-reinstated health service job evaluations should not obscure the fact that the resumption of the scheme was a major victory for workers, according to Fórsa Head of Health Éamonn Donnelly.

Almost half of Ireland’s health workers have experienced mental health difficulties, and over a quarter are currently experiencing a mental health issue, according to a new survey published by Fórsa.

The next round of public service pay negotiations should include talks on establishing “a structured, fair and sustainable funding model” for 'section 39' agencies, which provide housing, disability and other services on behalf of the State, according to Fórsa.

Delegates at Fórsa’s Health Division conference roundly condemned the paucity of public provision of mental health services in Ireland.

Ten national political parties, who between them fielded over 1,000 candidates in last week’s local elections, have signed up to a trade union pledge to increase local authority funding and restore local council powers in areas like housing, water and environmental protection.

President Michael D Higgins signed the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017 into law last week.