Talks aimed at introducing cost-saving measures in the HSE in the west will get under way between trade unions and management later this afternoon.
The talks will consider progress made in local discussions between management and union representatives in various locations in the western region over the past fortnight on measures to tackle a potential €91 million deficit.
The local talks were aimed at providing alternatives to plans put forward by management that could have seen several hundred temporary staff let go and large numbers of others having their working hours reduced.
A spokeswoman for HSE West said this afternoon that management believed the engagements over the last fortnight had been productive and that it was hoped that this could continue and a positive outcome reached.
Last night the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation described the local talks as “disappointing”.
Other union leaders have said although progress had been made in some of the local discussions there had been limited movement in others.
Late last week talks between unions and management at Letterkenny General Hospital in Donegal collapsed.
The HSE western region runs from Limerick to Donegal.