Following the appointment of the new government, there has been a changing of the guard in the Departments with which Fórsa’s Health & Welfare division works most regularly. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has become Minister for Health, while Norma Foley TD has taken on the Children, Disability, and Equality portfolio. 

Fórsa national secretaries Ashley Connolly and Linda Kelly have written to both Ministers, welcoming them to their new positions and outlining the union’s position regarding ongoing disputes and outstanding commitments. The letters also seek meetings with both Ministers. 

The dispute over the HSE’s pay and numbers strategy is the central focus in the letter to the new Minister of Health. It underlines the union’s position that the strategy has led to “persistent shortages” which have placed an “unsustainable burden on existing staff, leading to increased workloads, burnout, and compromised service delivery.” It warns the Minister of the need for an “immediate revision of staffing policies.” 

Highlighting the issue of low morale among healthcare workers, the letter states that healthcare workers are feeling “undervalued and overburdened,” and that if the issue is not addressed it will risk “further exacerbating workforce retention challenges and compromising service delivery.” 

The issue of pay in the community and voluntary sector is covered in both letters, with Ashley and Linda reminding the new Ministers that commitments were made during and after the general election to reconvene pay talks.  

The letter to Minister Foley outlined the challenges workers in disability services face, with similar issues of prevalent low morale.  

As children’s disability services now fall under Minister Foley’s responsibilities, the letter lays out some of the larger challenges she will face in addressing the system’s deficiencies. It also names the lack of adequate resourcing in the change programme for the policy shift to Progressing Disabilities as a significant contributing factor to the problems in children’s disability services, as well as the persistent disregard of members’ needs. 

Fórsa represents all HSCP and clerical admin staff working across children’s disability services, whether in primary care or in children’s disability network teams. The letter impressed upon Minister Foley the need for a step change in engagement. 

Speaking about the letters, Ashley Connolly, Head of the Health and Welfare Division, said: 

“Our members have consistently expressed their frustration with the daily challenges they witness across the health service, yet their voices go unheard. We have written to the Minister requesting an opportunity to meet and convey our members' primary concerns, focusing on practical solutions to these pressing issues.” 

Linda Kelly, Fórsa national secretary, responsible for HSCP, Pharmacy and Statutory Regulation, said: “Our members keep the health service in this country going. Without proper engagement it simply won’t be possible to reduce waiting lists or enhance patient safety and outcomes. We look forward to engaging with Ministers Carroll MacNeill and Foley on these issues.” 

Fórsa represents over 32,000 health workers including health and social care professionals, pharmacy staff, clerical, administrative, management and technical staff working within the Health Service Executive and funded agencies, Tusla and the wider community & voluntary Sector. 

The letter to Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD can be read here.

The letter to Minister Norma Foley TD can be read here. 

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