HSE imposes hiring freeze across southern regions amid €37m deficit concerns

Internal memos reveal recruitment pause, spending cuts, and growing concern over staffing impacts in multiple HSE regions

Liam Conway, INMO industrial relations officer, raised particular concerns about staffing at Cork University Hospital. Picture: Dan Linehan

A hiring freeze has been introduced by the HSE across Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, and other south-eastern counties for non-frontline posts due to a budget deficit, internal memos show.

The memos, issued on April 30 by regional executive officers for two large HSE regions, were sent to executive management teams.