Trade unions representing healthcare workers have called on the Health Service Executive to ensure that recently agreed pay increases under the latest public sector pay deal are implemented immediately.
The ICTU Group of Healthcare Trade Unions says its members have not received any indication when they will get their agreed increase, despite other members of the public sector having received payment.
The unions are calling on the HSE to make funding available to voluntary hospitals and voluntary organisations.
In October, unions formally accepted a set of proposals that will see public sector workers receive a 6.5% pay increase over two years.
A 3% increase, backdated to February 2022, is due to be paid before the end of the year.
"It is particularly galling that healthcare workers worked through the pandemic to keep the country safe and other public servants have received their money while nurses and midwives and other healthcare workers are once again being made wait," said Albert Murphy from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
The unions said that the pay increase delays are unacceptable.
"We have an agreement with the Government and yet our employers are unable to confirm our members will be paid on time," said Ashley Connolly from Fórsa.
The unions said that the situation is hugely frustrating for their members.
"Government must take all necessary measures to ensure that no healthcare worker is left short of money prior to Christmas, given the unprecedented cost of living crisis which affects everybody in this country," said SIPTU's Kevin Figgis.
The ICTU Group of Healthcare Unions is made up of the INMO, Fórsa, SIPTU, IMO, MLSA, Connect Trade Union, Voluntary Hospitals Craft Group, Unite.
A spokesperson for the HSE said it is currently working to implement the 3% pay increase for staff.
"This adjustment is very complex and every effort is currently being made to make these adjustments to basic pay including arrears for payment in December pay dates, up to Thursday, December 22," the spokesperson said.
The Department of Health said it is eager that all pay adjustments due are paid to HSE and Section 38 staff as soon as possible, with retrospective application to the appropriate date.
