HSE management in West now plan to cut temp staffing levels by 7,000 hours

Health Service management in the West is seeking to cut temporary staffing levels by 7,000 hours per week, or the equivalent of 200 full-time jobs.
The figure represents a reduction on the level of staff cuts ranging from 320 – 1,000 whole-time equivalents previously sought by the HSE in the West.
There are currently 27,000 staff working in the HSE in the West.
In a statement issued last night, the HSE said where there was no engagement locally on agreed cost-saving measures, management would have to proceed with its own plans.
The HSE warned that temporary staff may have be put on protective notice if there was no meaningful engagement by tarde unions in drawing up break-even plans.
The details of the new level of cuts emerged following talks yesterday between management and unions which were held at the Labour Relations Commision in Dublin.
Over the past fortninght talks have been held at local level between management and unions in various hospitals in the HSE Western region – which runs from Limerick to Donegal – to produce cost-cutting measures which would have the lease impact on employment levels and on patient services