A landmark national agreement that enables eligible agency workers to transfer into directly employed public service roles represents a major victory for health workers and a significant step towards rebuilding a stronger, more sustainable health service.
For years, chronic staffing shortages and inadequate workforce planning have driven an overreliance on agency employment. This dependence now costs the health service almost €1 billion annually, diverting vital resources away from frontline care while creating uncertainty for workers and services alike.
As the HSE seeks to reduce agency expenditure by €250 million this year, SIPTU Health Division has consistently argued that the answer is not fewer staff, but more permanent jobs.
Real savings can only be achieved by investing in a stable workforce, improving retention and reducing reliance on costly agency arrangements.
The new agreement delivers exactly that, it creates a clear pathway for eligible agency workers to secure permanent public service employment.
Workers who have occupied the same role for at least six months will be able to transfer directly into permanent employment within the HSE or relevant public health service.
Crucially, workers moving under the agreement will retain their existing salary point. This is a significant gain, ensuring that long-serving agency staff are not financially disadvantaged when taking up permanent employment.
The benefits extend beyond individual workers. Employers retain experienced staff who already understand their workplaces and services. Patients benefit from greater continuity of care, improved staffing stability and stronger workforce retention.
Most importantly, the agreement strengthens directly employed public healthcare services and helps protect them from further outsourcing.
“This agreement recognises the enormous contribution agency workers have made in keeping our health services running during periods of severe staffing shortages,” Kevin Figgis, Health Divisional Organiser, said.
“It provides a fair and practical route into permanent employment while ensuring workers do not lose out financially for the service they have already given.”
Figgis added: “Reducing agency expenditure must never come at the expense of healthcare capacity. The sustainable solution is to strengthen directly employed services, retain experienced workers and reduce dependence on agency staffing. This agreement advances all of those goals while helping to safeguard public service jobs against the growing threat of outsourcing.”