Fórsa can now engage in a process to deal with pay restoration in ‘section 39’ agencies after other organisations in the sector finally agreed to sign up. The progress followed talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this week.

Ireland spends less on health administration than our European peers according to a new system of health accounts.

The cost of childcare in Dublin is significantly higher than in other parts of the country, according to a new report. Leitrim had the lowest average full-time childcare costs, while Dun Laoighaire-Rathdown is the most expensive.

Fórsa has called for the introduction of state-employed general practitioners (GPs) as well as consultants who are exclusively employed in public hospitals.

The Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) says it has received a large number of submissions from unions on the issue of civil and public service recruitment and retention issues. These include submissions from Fórsa on problems in the civil service and among health and social care professionals.

The union has had a preliminary meeting with the HSE to discuss the restoration of ‘twilight’ payments for Fórsa grades.

The ONE Galway initiative was launched last week (Thursday 15th February) with a packed house at the Mick Lally Theatre in Galway City.