Up to 2,700 frontline HSE staff apply for leave

The HSE has received thousands of applications from frontline staff for its three-year career break scheme, raising speculation management will have to turn down a number of applications in order to protect vital services.

While the HSE would not provide a figure for the number of applications when contacted, Industrial Relations News quoted sources as saying 2,700 people had applied for the leave scheme, which was launched in May.

It said the “majority” of those people were frontline staff. The deadline for applications was May 31.