Fórsa has issued new advice for health workers, based on guidelines issued by the HSE’s occupational health team.

Fórsa has updated its advice on coronavirus-related work issues for health workers and staff in the wider public service. The advice covers attendance at work (including for pregnant workers and those with health vulnerabilities), salary protections for those self-isolating, temporary staff transfers, childcare and more. Read it HERE.

Fórsa has told the HSE that its staff should not be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in ways that compromise their safety or the effectiveness of the equipment itself.

Tusla chief executive Bernard Gloster has appealed for volunteers among his staff to be temporarily reassigned to frontline child protection, children in care, and domestic and gender-based violence services.

Fórsa has sought official guidance to ensure maximum consistency on decisions about what public services are deemed essential during the current crisis.

Fórsa members who work as civilian staff in An Gárda Síochana have been asked to volunteer, alongside their Garda colleagues, to perform Covid-19 testing in two drive-through locations. The measures are part of the national effort to increase the level of testing for the novel coronavirus.

The Government has introduced new measures financial supports for Irish workers affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

The Government has put revised social welfare payments in place for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus crisis.