Majority of health staff will have to work weekends under new roster deal to reduce trolley crisis
A HSE spokesperson said it was 'confident' this was the case when asked what proportion of workers are obliged to work a five over seven-day week.
The agreement means staff who joined or were promoted after December 16, 2008, can be asked to work new rosters that include extended hours or weekend working.
Those who joined before this date have no liability to change their working arrangements unless they want to on a voluntary basis.
The HSE expects the agreement to significantly improve services. The fact that staff will be entitled to premium pay is seen as a 'carrot' to attract volunteers.
The spokesperson said staff will be asked to volunteer first to work the new arrangements.
Agreement was reached after weeks of intense negotiations on 'principles'
'To deliver a quick and effective response, staff will be asked to volunteer in the first instance. If not enough staff volunteer, eligible staff will be identified,' he said.
'We are confident that the majority of staff have a contractual obligation to work an extended working day/week basis.'
The spokesperson said plans are being devised to introduce extended working arrangements in the 'areas with most need'.
'These requirements will vary from site to site,' he said.
In a message to members, Siptu said the extended services initiative is expected to be rolled out in the coming months. It said agreement with the HSE, Department of Health and health unions was reached after weeks of intense negotiations on 'principles' for extended services.
The union said the agreement aims to enhance patient access to services by extending opening hours.
It said unions secured key protections for its members. These include provisions to protect staff welfare, ensure safe working conditions and provide fair compensation for those participating in extended rosters.
Siptu health divisional organiser Kevin Figgis said: 'The agreement marks a significant step forward in reshaping Ireland's healthcare services while balancing the needs of patients and staff.
'By ensuring robust protections and structured implementation, the HSE and the unions aim to deliver extended services sustainably, without compromising worker welfare or patient safety.'
The INMO said the vast majority of its members already work a 24/7 roster.
In a notice to members on the changes, it said the agreement does not mean that all services will be automatically changed.
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed the staff rostering agreement with health unions.
She said she was told early on when she took office about MRI and CT scans not being operated in some hospitals at weekends.
She acknowledged hospitals were hampered by a lack of digitisation and said a business case was currently with the Department of Health for the rollout of electronic records.
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