Health unions, including Fórsa, are continuing to push for an engagement with the HSE and the health department on the establishment of an occupational injury scheme – with particular consideration for workers with long Covid – following the restricted entitlement to special leave with pay (SLWP) announced last week.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath has said he hopes further engagement between his officials and public service unions will lead to a pay agreement by the end of this month.

The head of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division has said that the next chief executive of the HSE faces huge challenges in relation to ongoing projects still in play.

Fórsa has broadly welcomed a new national strategy on domestic, gender and sexual based violence as a step in the right direction. The union has also called on the Government to introduce statutory paid leave for victims of domestic violence.

Temporary work is most common amongst young workers aged 16 to 24, with a third of this group employed on temporary contracts according to a new report.