Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan has called on the HSE to support the proposals being made by ambulance staff in the ongoing pay negotiations.
Her call comes following reports that a planned two-day strike by ambulance staff due to start next Tuesday has been postponed to allow for further talks between both sides aimed at resolving the dispute.
Speaking today Deputy McGreehan said:
“The paramedics and medical technicians have shown goodwill towards the HSE in the pay dispute by agreeing to postpone the planned strikes. In light of that I am calling on the HSE to hear the calls from these workers.
“I welcome that negotiations are set to recommence and I hope that their proposals are heard.
“Ambulance staff have gone through serious upskilling and retraining in recent years to provide a public service that we all depend on at some stage. This reskilling must be reflected in pay and conditions.
“The National Ambulance Service carries enormous pressure every single day. Demand through the 999 system has increased dramatically in recent years while staffing and capacity have not kept pace. Frontline paramedics, EMTs and advanced paramedics are being asked to do more with greater clinical responsibility in an increasingly stretched system.”
Recent figures provided to Deputy McGreehan by the HSE through parliamentary questions show that emergency demand has risen by 25% since 2019, while previous HSE evidence acknowledged a significant shortfall in ambulance capacity and staffing compared with ambulance services across the UK.
In 2025 ambulance staffing levels in the UK averaged approximately 1,000 staff per million population compared to fewer than 500 per million in Ireland, a gap that demonstrates the scale of workforce pressures facing the National Ambulance Service.
“I support the proposals submitted by the Irish Society of Paramedicine and they clearly reflect the reality that the profession has evolved substantially over the past two decades.
“Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are highly trained autonomous healthcare professionals operating in extremely challenging environments. The educational standards, accountability and complexity of the work have changed significantly and the system must recognise that reality.
“The proposals submitted call for a review and realignment of clinical grades across the NAS alongside improved progression structures and recognition of advanced clinical and supervisory responsibilities.”
Deputy McGreehan concluded by saying that following these pay negotiations there must also be a long-term strategy around the recruitment and retention of ambulance staff, adding that the current discussions are the beginning of properly supporting paramedics and medical technicians.
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
END
