The Irish Society of Paramedicine has expressed concern over the future of 80 newly qualified paramedics, who have been told by the HSE that they must reapply in order to keep their jobs.
These paramedics, employed by the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS), recently completed a BSc in Paramedic Studies, marking the final phase of their paramedic training, reports RTE.
James Mullen, chairperson of the society, stated that this development marks a shift away from established HSE practices, as in the past, the NAS would offer permanent contracts to paramedics upon successful completion of their training.
The paramedics were informed on 20 February that their temporary training contracts would be extended by just 16 weeks, providing them the opportunity to apply through an internal recruitment competition to secure permanent roles, reports RTE.
This decision follows changes to the HSE WTE (Wholetime Equivalent) Management & Control arrangements within the NAS.
The Society expressed concern, noting that the paramedics have not been given any details about where permanent positions may become available, which has caused significant anxiety among the staff, reports RTE.
The HSE responded by clarifying that there is no staffing embargo within the NAS.
They further emphasized that the NAS will continue to grow its frontline workforce in 2026, with new developments planned that will create additional positions, reports RTE.
In a letter to the SIPTU & Unite unions, Robert Morton, Director of the NAS, outlined the plan to hold an “Internal Confined Campaign” for Year 3 students to apply for permanent paramedic positions, contingent on the availability of funded and approved positions within the operational system.
The HSE also noted that this national campaign would result in the creation of up to six regional panels, through which vacancies in each health region will be filled as soon as possible, reports RTE.
One of the changes leading to this shift is the transfer of staff responsibility from NAS HR to NAS Operations, meaning that staff transfers within a health region will now fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant general manager.
Any national transfers will now require approval from the Office of the Director of Operations, reports RTE.
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