Healthcare Workers Frustrated as HSE Fills Roles with International Recruits Amid Hiring Freeze
Dublin: Healthcare workers have expressed frustration over the Health Service Executive (HSE) filling certain roles through international recruitment during a recent hiring freeze. The freeze, implemented as a cost-saving measure, was in place from October 2023 to July 2024. Some domestic candidates hoped to secure positions when the freeze was lifted but discovered that roles had been filled by international applicants during the embargo.
Although some roles, including those for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs), were exempt from the freeze, the HSE defended the decision to hire 13 HSCPs from abroad, stating that international recruitment is only pursued when domestic efforts fail to find qualified candidates. However, affected workers, including one HSCP in Dublin, argued that they were unfairly bypassed despite being on established job panels, which rank candidates based on merit.
These workers also criticised the higher costs associated with international recruitment, including relocation packages and fees paid to recruitment agencies. The HSE acknowledged that retaining Irish graduates is crucial and assured that 2024 HSCP and nursing graduates would be offered permanent positions to fill funded vacancies. Despite these assurances, some experienced staff have left the HSE for the private sector due to the lack of promotional opportunities.
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