Proposed cuts in health service provoke clashes

The Western Health Board clashed again with the Department of Health and health service unions yesterday after details emerged of the scope of the planned lay-offs.

The health board released a list of 169 temporary workers it is planning to sack as part of the 1.15m euro cutback in its budget demanded by the department. The lay-offs include nurses, ward attendants, laboratory staff and clerical workers.

The health board was instructed to not fill 85 clerical and administrative jobs this year to meet its budgetary requirements. Across the country, the department has ordered 800 health board posts remain vacant in a bid to save 10m euro as part of a 38m euro cutbacks package.