Gaza
It is nearly two years on since sustained attacks began in Gaza. The INMO will join the trade union bloc at this weekend’s National Demo for Palestine in Dublin, and many members will take part in the weekly Cork march on Saturday also. The meeting point for the Dublin March is at Mandate Head Offices on Cavendish Row, Dublin 1, at 12.30 on Saturday October 4th. Weekly lunchtime rallies take place in Cork each Saturday outside Terence McSwiney Library.
Many members have been in touch regarding the Flotilla which was carrying aid to Gaza. On behalf of all affiliated trade unions, the Irish Congress of Trade Union has written to the Taoiseach calling on the Government to do all that you can to ensure safe passage of those on the Flotilla. You can read the full letter here.
The INMO was proud to coordinate the post graduate training for 6 nurses from Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem to Ireland this summer. These nurses completed a 6-week surgical training programme at CHI Crumlin and Temple Street. A huge thanks to all our members who were directly involved in these hospitals and who supported this initiative We believe this project will foster enduring professional bonds and friendships that transcend geographical boundaries. Continued engagement and support will be essential in the coming months as this new unit in the West Bank opens to provide specialised surgical services to Palestinian children
Raise the Roof Cork
The availability of affordable and decent housing continues to be a major issue for members across the country. A housing protest will take place on Saturday, October 4th at 2.30 at the National Monument, Grand Parade Cork. This protest is to send a message to government ahead of Tuesday’s budget that housing must be a priority. INMO members are encouraged to attend.
Review of the Workplace Relation Commission Agreement regarding Staffing
At a meeting with the HSE on Thursday, 2nd October 2025, healthcare sector trade unions, including the INMO, advised that we are not satisfied with the HSE’s implementation of agreed workforce proposals. As a result, we have invoked the review clause of the agreement, which requires the intervention of the Workplace Relations Commission.
During the meeting, the HSE confirmed that they have not yet reached their funded workforce target for this year and are unlikely to do so by year end. This shortfall raises serious concerns, as services continue to operate under severe staffing pressures. In particular, essential front-line services are being impacted by the failure to provide maternity leave cover, posing significant risks to both patient safety and staff wellbeing.
To date in 2025, the HSE has increased the nursing and midwifery workforce by just 469 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE), a stark contrast to the average annual growth of 1,800 WTEs over the past five years. Expert analysis and workforce planning frameworks suggest that a minimum annual increase of 4,000 WTEs is required to sustain current service levels and support planned service expansions. Just this week the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that the proposed VAT cut for hospitality businesses will cost the equivalent, per year, of hiring 11,400 nurses. We want the Government to make the right choice in this Budget and ensure that the requirements and increased numbers to be recruited. We will keep you updated on the WRC proceedings and are seeking an early date to commence this process.
In the meantime, if you are experiencing staffing issues, particularly where they impact patient safety or your own health and safety, please contact the INMO. We are actively engaging with the employer in many areas, including community nursing, to address the effects of ongoing shortages.
One example of this engagement is in Mayo University hospital where we are balloting members due to staffing shortages.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has begun a ballot of its members in Mayo University Hospital in response to what it describes as dangerous staffing shortfalls in the hospital.
This ballot comes at the end of a long process in which we have tried to resolve the ongoing staffing issues with management in the hospital. Unfortunately, the staffing proposals made by management did not meet the minimum level required to maintain the safety of staff and patients in the emergency department.
Our members are very disappointed that it has come to this, but unfortunately, they feel the risks being posed to patients due to ongoing understaffing problems have become too significant and that their concerns are not being taken seriously.
Long-term measures are required to address what has become a chronic staffing shortfall, which our members have been documenting and reporting for two years without an adequate response from their employer.
INMO hosted Major Occupational Health Conference
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation hosted the 8th Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU) International Congress at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October 2025.
The event brought together international experts to explore the future of workplace health, and the role nurses play in creating healthy workplaces.
This is a great example of the work our professional sections are doing to advance the nursing and midwifery professions. Get involved in your professional section today
Upcoming Rep Training
The INMO regularly holds rep training to provide members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to represent and support members in the workplace. In the last two weeks we have held training sessions in Dublin and Sligo. Thank you to the members who attended.
The next set of training will take place in Cork on 21st and 22nd of October. If you are interested in attending, please contact your local INMO Official.
Keeping your membership details up to date
Please, we would appreciate, if you have recently changed your home address, email address, work location or grade we would appreciate if you would email your new details to inmo@inmo.ie
You can keep up to date with the day-to-day activities of the INMO, upcoming events and courses on our Instagram page.