The union welcomed confirmation from the HSE that the Department of Health is to seek €4 million to cover arrears payments, and a further €1m in the estimates and ongoing costs for 2016, which the HSE says are sufficient to cover the liabilities for employer organisations in Galway and Roscommon, in addition to employments in Cork, Limerick, Clare and Waterford where premium pay arrears are also outstanding.

These funds would meet the costs of proposals by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) which were tabled to resolve the dispute over unpaid premiums dating back over almost ten years.

IMPACT national secretary Louise O’Donnell said the confirmation of funds was a breakthrough for the staff, who had shown both courage and resolve in taking the industrial action. “These are dedicated staff providing a vital service to people with intellectual disabilities. Taking action was a difficult choice  but they had been left with no other options. They have made efforts to ensure that the action had minimal effect on service users,” she said.

The union is currently balloting members on the proposals. IMPACT assistant general secretary Padraig Mulligan said he expects a ballot to be completed by the end of October.