The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have called on the Government to hold a face to face meeting in order to address the current staffing shortages at the nations hospitals.
In a stark response to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe, INMO chiefs have called on a meeting after Mr Donohoe claimed that the organisation’s demand for an overall pay increase of €300m was unattainable given budgetary constraints.
However the INMO who have reiterated that they wish to avoid industrial action, say the Government are exaggerating figures.
The INMO say the issue is not about overall pay but improving staffing levels which are becoming increasingly stretched.
Management at the organisation say the Government must engage in face to face talks rather than discussing the issue through the airwaves.
They also say that that recruitment problems are continuing to grow significantly with a greater demand for more staff in both hospitals and community services.